Parton’s Imagination Library Exceeds 1,050 Preschoolers

Registrations

still accepted

The Corydon Democrat

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

     In just six weeks, more than 1,050 Harrison County children have enrolled in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.

     Every child enrolled in the program will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday, beginning in late January.  “The program gives every child the chance to own a book, to hold it and turn the pages, to see how words are printed on a page,” said Alisa Burch, youth services manager for the Harrison County Public Library and member of the Metro United Way Success By 6 Action Team. “It is the library’s belief that the earlier a child is exposed to language and literature, the more likely that he or she will gain the skills necessary for literacy.”

     Parents who wish to register their preschool children may do so at the library, Harrison County Community Foundation, Harrison County Community Services, First Steps, Harrison County Health Dept., Harrison County Hospital Obstetrics Ward and the YMCA of Harrison County. Registrations are also available online at www.imaginationlibrary.com.

     In an effort to give back to participating communities, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides 10 percent of online sales of branded apparel and accessories directly back to the community in which the sales were made. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Web site offers a variety of branded apparel. They also offer tote bags and bookends and Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s Cook Book. Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com to view the available merchandise.

     Additionally, the Foundation has established an endowment to support the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Foundation continues to provide matching gifts to all of its endowment funds and any donation is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000 per household per year. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Early Readers Fund may contact the HCCF staff at 738-6668 or mail donations to the Foundation, P.O. Box 279, Corydon, IN 47112. Checks should be made out to Harrison County Community Foundation with the name of the fund in the memo line.

     Founded in 1996, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a nonprofit organization that gives hundreds of thousands of books each month to registered children in participating communities all over the United States and Canada. Promoting the love of early reading and learning as the building blocks for a strong foundation in education, the Dollywood Foundation believes in helping children dream more, learn more, care more and be more through its education campaign.

For more information about this program, contact the Harrison County Community Foundation at 738-6668.