A love of reading provides a strong foundation for many aspects of life – creativity, empathy and academic success. Fostering that passion is easier for some than others.
Almost 30 years ago, legendary musician Dolly Parton launched a program, known as the Imagination Library, to put free books in the hands of children aged 0 to 5. Due to its proven success, that program has now launched for Hendricks County libraries, in conjunction with the state of Indiana.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with the state as well as our fiscal partner, the Hendricks County Community Foundation, to bring the Imagination Library here,” says Denise Robinson, Brownsburg Public Library director. “With the help of our partners, we’ll be able to reach over 9,000 children throughout the county and encourage them to read together with their families.”
Concerns over long-declining literacy rates in Indiana prompted the partnership with the Imagination Library as part of an initiative to boost lagging reading scores. Governor Eric Holcomb announced legislation last year to utilize the partnership as part of his Next Level Agenda.
Amie Scott, assistant director with the Brownsburg Public Library, hopes Hendricks Country can be part of that positive change. “We hope that this program will reach children throughout the county and ultimately will instill early literacy skills that will give them a head start into their school-age years,” she says. “Of course, we also hope that they’ll develop a sheer love for reading and the places it can take you.”
An initiative that began in Sevier County, Tennessee, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is her passion project intended to help foster a love of learning in preschool children. It is now part of a statewide expansion program intended to serve every county in Indiana. The program provides a monthly book to Hendricks County children that is delivered directly to their mailboxes. “Parents love the program and little ones love to get something in the mail, and when that something is a book, it brings families together,” says Scott.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program ensures all children receive age-appropriate reading material without having to leave their homes. Books are chosen by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a panel that includes early childhood literacy experts. The selections are specifically intended to foster early language and math development, and are published solely through Penguin Random House. “It just seemed a natural fit for public libraries to pick up and carry the mantle of supporting and promoting a program that encourages early literacy,” says Scott.
This program is completely free for Hendricks County residents, but parents need to apply on the sign-up page to opt in. Alternatively, you can sign up at your local library branch. Scott stresses that children do not need to have a home library to participate.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted more than 250 million books to children throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. This is all made possible by funds provided by the Dollywood Foundation and community and state partners.
“It’s a great program and we’re so thrilled to offer it here,” says Scott. “It’s not a free program on the back end. All six of the different Hendricks County libraries are promoting this and working together to fundraise, as the cost of each child per year is $26.20. We need to keep pounding the pavement to reach all of our families.”
Hendricks County libraries have received supporting funds from the Thomas A. Kays Fund, the Hendricks County Community Foundation and the American Rescue Plan Act.
