Free book program for children from birth to age five promotes family time, reading skills, and school readiness.
Submitted by United Way of Whatcom County
United Way of Whatcom County announced they have become the local affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a world-wide program that sends free books to kids from birth to age five. Any child in Whatcom County is eligible to enroll in this program.
“We are very excited to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Whatcom County kids and families,” said Community Impact Manager Patricia Boyce. “We know kids love getting books in the mail, but we also know this well-loved program has been proven promote literacy and school readiness. This is more critical than ever to help combat the learning slide we’re seeing as a result of COVID-19. This extremely low-barrier reading program will help promote pandemic literacy recovery throughout our community, and United Way is proud to be part of that work.”
And just 24 hours after launching, the Imagination Library program in Whatcom County, has enrolled more than 725 local kids!
How does it work?
Registered children will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail each month addressed specifically to them. The books are selected by a national committee of early childhood literacy experts with the intent to provide a variety of inclusive and diverse titles that cover feel good topics. The Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee takes great care in choosing books that meet the different needs of children as they progress from birth to age five. There a two bi-lingual books (English/Spanish) per child per year. Books are also offered in braille.
Kids receive books from time of enrollment until their fifth birthday, at which time they receive a letter from Dolly printed in the last book (Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come) encouraging them to continue with their love of books and learning.
Recent studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development. Findings from the body of Dolly Parton Information Library research indicate the program is extremely popular in the communities where its implemented and shows promise in promoting changes in home literacy environments, children’s attitudes toward reading, and early literacy skills.
The launch of Imagination Library in Whatcom County coincides with a larger effort to expand the program throughout Washington State. A bill was introduced in the Washington State Legislature January 19 (Dolly Parton’s birthday) that would make Imagination Library into an official statewide program. Many local United Ways have joined in this effort, becoming affiliates in their respective counties. The statewide rollout is receiving strong support from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with $2 million in matching funds to make the program even more cost effective for regional affiliates.
United Way of Whatcom County’s Imagination Library coordinator Denise Kilcline indicated they will be partnering with a variety of organizations locally to reach as many kids as possible and maximize the success of this program.
“We want every child in Whatcom County to be able to benefit from having Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available in our community,” says Kilcline, “This is a wonderful way to foster a love of reading, and to prepare our littlest learners for long-term success in school and life.”
For more information about this program, visit United Way of Whatcom County’s Website
To register a local child, click here.
