The Library is proud to offer spaces that invite connection—to stories, to learning, and to one another. One of those spaces is the Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk®, a meaningful community feature that blends literacy, movement, and remembrance.
Installed in partnership with the City of DeWitt, DeWitt Township, and DeWitt Public Schools, the StoryWalk® honors the life and legacy of Sarah Lago, a former Library employee who passed away in 2017.
A Path Designed for Stories
The Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk® begins along the multi-use path near the Library’s property on DeWitt Road and continues south along the paved connector path leading to school property. For visitors arriving by car, a paved parking area is available near the start of the walk.
Along the path, pages from a children’s book are displayed sequentially, inviting families to read together while enjoying the outdoors—turning a simple walk into a shared storytelling experience.
Celebrating Reading and Color
The Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk, originally installed in June 2018 along a paved walking trail at Granger Meadows Park, featured one of Sarah’s favorite children’s storybooks, Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems. In 2021, when the StoryWalk® was relocated to the Library’s property off DeWitt Rd, the first featured title was Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, chosen to complement the Library’s Summer Reading theme, Reading Colors Your World. As families walked the path, they were encouraged to search for colors alongside Bear and his woodland friends, combining literacy, imagination, and exploration.
The StoryWalk® continues to feature rotating stories, offering new reasons to return throughout the year.
Honoring Sarah Lago’s Legacy
At the beginning of the StoryWalk® stands a sign that captures the heart of the memorial:
“The StoryWalk® reflects Sarah’s love for literature, her personal appreciation for the library, and her passion for bringing books to life for children.”
Sarah worked at the DeWitt District Library from 2000 to 2008, and her dedication to library services and love of reading left a lasting impact. The StoryWalk® stands as a tribute not only to her memory, but to the joy she found in connecting readers with books.
A Place to Pause and Remember
In addition to the Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk®, a memorial bench was installed at the Library property near the start of the path. The bench was donated by Sarah’s family in her memory, offering visitors a place to sit, reflect, and enjoy the space.
The Library would like to thank Jason Benkert of Carefree Creations for creating the bench and helping make this memorial a welcoming and lasting feature.
An Invitation to the Community
Whether you’re discovering the Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk® for the first time or returning with a familiar story, we invite you to take a walk, share a book, and spend a moment in a space created with love, collaboration, and remembrance.