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Spout Springs Library debuts 'Born to Learn' trail
Learning activity at library engages children
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Adrian Mixson, right, director of Hall County Libraries, talks about the benefits of the Born Learning Trail while Carol Williams, United Way of Hall County senior vice president of community impact, watches on Thursday during a ribbon cutting at the Spout Springs Library. The trail marks the third in the county, with the other two at the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and Wilshire Trails Park. - photo by SARA GUEVARA
Spout Springs Library officially became the home of Hall County’s third Born Learning Trail on Thursday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The United Way of Hall County worked with the Friends of the Library, the Hall County Master Gardeners, the Sterling on the Lake Community Support Organization and Newland Communities to install the trail.

The Born Learning Trail includes a series of signs with tips for interactive learning activities for children and caregivers. The trail targets children 5 and younger and offers opportunities to learn alphabets, numbers and activities such as hopscotch.

Adrian Mixson, director of Hall County Libraries, said the Born Learning Trail fits well within the libraries’ mission.

“It promotes childhood literacy and shows that reading is practical,” Mixson said. “It’ll be a path our community can enjoy.”

This is the only trail located at a library and the first in South Hall. The two other Hall County trails are located at Wilshire Trails Park and the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids.

Carol Williams, the United Way’s senior vice president for community impact, said incorporating education into children’s lives at a young age is important.

“If you get kids engaged at an early age then they’re much more likely to be ready for school. Their success at that level indicates whether they’re really going to be able to go on and be finish school,” Williams said.

“One of the long-term outcomes is to increase graduation rates and reduce dropout rates.”

The Master Gardeners planned a sun garden, and a shade garden will be part of the educational process as well.

“These are native plants, and there will be some signage about the planting,” Williams said.

The trails cost about $1,500 each to install and were funded through an endowment from the late J. Cleon Nalley.

Williams said though the Born Learning Trails are simple, she thinks they will do great things for families in Hall County.

“To me, one of the biggest treasures of that is that it’s reading for parents, reading for young kids and it’s conversation and relationship building,” Williams said.