imagination library
“In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 1 million children.” - Dolly Parton
The Imagination Library was brought to life by Dolly Parton in 1995. The mission was to build a book gifting program that would mail free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s socio-economic status. The program which began its mission in Sevier County, Tennessee, has now expanded to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, as well as the Republic of Ireland.
The Adirondack Region’s connection with the Imagination Library started in 2012, with the help of the Charles R. Wood Foundation. Since its inception, the program has gone from servicing 500 to over 4,000 children, in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton. This program has become one of the premier programs for children in this area and has grown largely through participation in community events. From parades to county fairs and through engaging with all types of partners from hospitals to schools to social service agencies, we continue to carry out the mission of the Imagination Library. Our organization understands the value and power of literacy and as such, wherever we go, we talk to parents of babies and young children about signing up for a free books. To sign up for more information regarding the Imagination Library, click here.
For more local information, please contact:
Jocelyne Erkenbeck
518-564-5332
jocelyne@lvcef.org
Literacy Volunteers of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties strives to encourage childhood literacy and proudly continues our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Our commitment to this program has remained strong. Throughout the COVID pandemic, we were committed to ensuring that we actively enrolled children under 5 years of age in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties.
A child's joy from receiving the Imagination Library books drives us to build the program every year.
Please encourage your clients and families to sign up eligible children who reside in these counties so they may receive free books to establish their love for lifelong learning. As always, registration can be completed online or through U.S. mail.
Thank you for your continued support,
Jocelyne
The Imagination Library in the Adirondacks
