The Rotary Club of Sylvan Lake has launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. All parents (or grandparents and guardians) are welcome to register any child under the age of four to receive an age appropriate book monthly absolutely FREE thanks to the Sylvan Lake Rotary Club.
Imagination LIbrary
Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to foster an early love of reading and learning in the children in her hometown of Sevier County, Tenn. She created the program in honor of her father, who could not read or write but she considered the smartest man she knew. Then as other communities learned of her Imagination Library, in true Dolly fashion, she shared her dream and program with those who wanted to bring it to their communities. But no one person can do it alone - and that is where the Local Imagination Library Partners and State Partners make all the difference. The Imagination Library has since become the highest quality, most recognizable and most effective book gifting resource in the world. Policymakers, funders, early childhood organizations and families trust The Imagination Library to inspire a love of reading among children of all ages.
How Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Works
This flagship program of DWF mails free high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children every month from birth to age 5. Children enrolled from birth receive 60 books by the time they graduate from the Imagination Library program. The program is funded through a shared partnership between Dolly, her Foundation and Local Imagination Library Partners in five countries. The Foundation covers overhead costs and negotiates pricing for the books, while local partners fundraise to cover the cost of mailing and wholesale book prices for the children in their coverage area. There is never a cost to the families.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Highlights
- Over 300 million free books have been gifted since the program’s inception in 1995
- The Imagination Library operates in five countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland
- There are currently 21 Statewide Programs in the U.S.
- Braille and bilingual books are included in the U.S. book selections
- More than 3 million free books are gifted each month to children around the world