Get Them Reading Early

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

The legendary singer’s literacy program is spreading quickly in Hampton Roads these days.

Earlier this month the Newport News public library system announced that all the city’s children are now eligible for the program, one that sends free books to young children to help begin their book collection and to kick-start their reading habit early.

Now the city of Hampton has joined in with a similar announcement on Facebook. Families in the two peninsula cities can now enroll their children in the popular program that will send them books every month from birth to age five.

The area joins a growing number of communities across the United States that have embraced this unique and effective early childhood literacy program. It’s been widely successful in these other locations and is expected to have a significant impact on the peninsula, helping to support childhood literacy and early learning.

Overview of the program

Founded by the iconic performance artist and philanthropist Dolly Parton, The Imagination Library is designed to foster a love of reading and learning in young children and prepare them for academic success.

Each month, registered children receive a carefully selected, age-appropriate book in the mail, which they can keep and add to their personal library.

Since its inception in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee, the program has distributed over 160 million books to children in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With the program now available in Hampton Roads, local families can take advantage of this opportunity to support their children’s development and instill a lifelong love of reading.

The DeGood Foundation

Where it operates around the world, the program is made possible through partnerships with local organizations and initiatives, and the same is true here in Hampton Roads.

On the peninsula, the program is being implemented through a partnership with a nonprofit called The DeGood Foundation, created by Kyle DeGood in 2017. From their website: “Children are the foundation of our future. We aim to support that foundation with our literacy, health, and education programs to give children the best possible chance at their education, health, and lives.”

By partnering with local organizations and initiatives, the Imagination Library program is able to reach more families and have a greater impact on the community.

How it works and who is eligible to participate and how to enroll in the program

The Imagination Library is designed to be easy and accessible to busy families with young children.

Families can register their child using a paper form at a public library, or simply visit the DeGood Foundation website and click on the “Enroll Now” button to get started.

Once on the registration page, families will be asked to enter their information, including their child’s name, date of birth, and mailing address. After registering, they can expect to receive their first book within six to eight weeks. From there, they will receive a carefully selected, age-appropriate book in the mail every month until their child turns five or until they move out of the service area.

It’s important to note that the program is open to all families with children in the age range, regardless of income or other factors.

The books are free of charge, and each eligible child in the family can receive their own.

Benefits of the Imagination Library program

The Imagination Library program has been widely recognized for its success in promoting early childhood literacy and educational outcomes. Studies have shown that children who participate in the program have better language and literacy skills, are more prepared for school, and are more likely to graduate high school and attend college.

The importance of such gifts early in life can’t easily be overstated. Despite our wealth of resources and intellectual heritage here in the US, our literacy rate stands at only 79%. By providing access to books and early literacy programs, children are not only more likely to achieve academic success, but they’re also given tools to enhance social skills and can more easily become valuable members of their communities. Investing in such initiatives is crucial in building a better future for future generations, promoting lifelong learning, and cultivating a culture of growth.