CULLMAN, Ala. – The Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County (FPLCC) last month introduced a new family-friendly painted rock-hunting game, hosted by the library’s main branch, along with the Tom Bevill Library in Colony. Each hand-painted rock features a fun design with “#read” painted on the back with a number. Found rocks can be turned in to the library in exchange for a fun “brag tag.” The rocks are hidden in easy-to-find places throughout Cullman- in parks, parking lots, shopping areas and downtown, all in safe and easy-to reach areas. The game started with 60 hidden rocks, but now the FPLCC has decided to keep the game going.
“We are encouraging this as an ongoing, safe-to-do activity. We’ve decided not to have an end on it!” smiled FPLCC Secretary Renée Welsh. “People love hiding the rocks; they’re actually finding the rocks and then they’re hiding them again. The goal is we have people come to the library to get a library card and participate in the Take & Make (projects), and that’s just what they’re doing! Our goal to get people to the library is working! Children are coming in, they’re taking the Take & Makes, they’re getting their pictures and finding rocks; it’s working!”
When asked what happens when all the rocks have been found, Welsh answered, “Most folks have loved the idea of hiding them again. The Friends loved the idea, too. The Dollar General (Literacy Foundation) Grant has provided us the ability to continue with the brag tag celebration for each rock and leaf art and Take & Make submitted.”
Still haven’t found a rock? Welsh suggested looking in these areas:
- Depot Park
- Heritage Park
- Ave Maria Grotto
- Festhalle
- The Warehouse District (around Karmas Coffee House)
- Around Colony’s Tom Bevill Library
- Holly Pond Lions Club Park
- Guy Hunt library grounds
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