Imagination Library

I want to introduce you to Imagination Library. If you are a parent of a child from the ages 0-4, or if you know someone who is, this program is for you!

Imagination Library is a program of the Dollywood Foundation and was designed to improve the educational opportunities for children in communities all around the United States. This program allows pre-school age children (0-4 years) to receive a brand new book every month until they turn 5 years old. The book comes in the name of the child, which leaves the child excited and full of anticipation for the next book to arrive. Each book is hardback and age appropriate. The best thing about the program is that it is no charge for the registered children!

The purpose in Imagination Library is to generate a love for reading before the child even begins school.

Dolly Parton began this program when she saw to it that the pre-school children in Sevier County, TN received a book every month that came in their name in the mail. She then extended the program to Myrtle Beach, SC as well as Branson, MO, where she has businesses.

Thankfully, she has now opened the program up to all communities. Imagination Library is now a part of over 600 communities in the U.S. and in over 1,000 including the United Kingdom and Canada.

I felt as though this was something that I wanted to look into and learn more about. I have been in contact with a few communities that provide this program that are closer to Macon County as well as been in contact with the Regional Director for Imagination Library. She is sending me an Information Packet so that I can have more direction in getting this program started in Macon County!

My next step is to meet with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to share about Imagination Library and the importance it can have to improve the educational opportunities in Macon County - for the children of Macon County. This is the part that makes me the most nervous. Although this program is provided for preschool children and it does not require any form of payment from those that are registered, funding of some kind is necessary. My hope is that the places I go and the people I visit in Macon County will see the need to generate a love of reading before children begin school and will sponsor the Imagination Library so that children will have the opportunity to dream like never before.

I will keep you posted as Imagination Library moves forward, hopefully towards a home in Macon County.