The first Storypalooza event drew approximately 800 attendees, bringing families together for a communitywide celebration of literacy and learning.
The event made an immediate impact by putting books directly into the hands of children and families, with more than 2,500 books given away throughout the day. In addition, the Norman Public Library provided 150 “Growing Like a Reader” early literacy kits, all of which were distributed to families in attendance. The Cleveland County Health Department also saw high demand, running out of its initial supply of books and restocking during the event.
“Seeing so many families come together around literacy was incredibly rewarding,” President of the Norman Rotary Club Liz McKown said. “Storypalooza is about more than just books; it’s about creating opportunities for children to discover new worlds and supporting their future success. We are proud to partner with Norman Public Schools for an event that makes such a meaningful impact in our community.”
Storypalooza featured interactive storytelling, hands-on activities and engaging literacy experiences designed to inspire young readers and support families.
“Storypalooza is a powerful example of what happens when a community comes together to prioritize literacy,” Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology at Norman Public Schools, Amanda Kordeliski, said. “By providing access to books and meaningful literacy experiences, we are helping students build the foundation for lifelong learning.”
Organizers say the strong turnout and enthusiastic participation highlight the importance of community partnerships in expanding access to literacy resources and opportunities for all children. Plans are already underway to build on the success of the inaugural event.