Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a project started by Dolly Parton to distribute books to children across the globe. The books are available free to families with children ages 0-4 years old. Each month, a book is mailed to each family that signs up. This is a great program to be a part of because it allows families to build their own library within their household without having to purchase books.

According to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Parental reading to children increases the child's reading and other cognitive skills, and early intervention is beneficial for the rest of their lives. (Read To Young Children) The Ohio State University also did a study that showed a “million word gap”. This million-word gap shows that “young children whose parents read them 5 books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. (OSU) “Based on this, here is how many words kids would have heard by the time they were five years old: (1) Never read to, 4,662 words; (2) 1-2 times per week, 63,570 words; (3) 3-5 times per week, 169,520 words; (4) daily, 296,660 words; (5) five books a day, 1,483,300 words.” According to the government census in 2021 there were an estimated 18,452 children under the age of 5. It cost $2.10 for a book and mailing per child each month. Attached is a cost estimate that shows a cost analysis per month for up to 5 years.

As a Local Imagination Library Affiliate, I help bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Lancaster County. I also would be in charge of enrolling children who live within the area and promote the local program online and at events. It is also my job to secure funds to cover the cost of books and shipping so that books are 100% free to enrolled children. Requesting $5,000 plus cost reimbursement.