Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Schenectady, NY
Did you know that 1 in 7 children, under the age of 5, in the USA receives Imagination Library Books? Schenectady County Public Library and the United Way Of The Greater Capital Region are now offering the program to kids in our own listening area!
According to the Imagination Library web site:
In 1995, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee, USA. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. The new program gave each child a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age appropriate books directly to their homes, Dolly wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could ensure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.
Now, in 2024, The Imagination Library has made it's way to Schenectady, NY via The United Way Of The Greater Capital Region. In September, The Schenectady County Public Library officially launched the program in New York's Capital Region!
According to The United Way Of The Greater Capital Region web site:
UWGCR is proud to serve as the local Program Partner, bringing this transformative literacy initiative to children throughout the Capital Region. With over 5,000 local kids already enrolled, the Imagination Library is one of the pillars of UWGCR’s new early childhood literacy initiative. Through its Focused Investments, Family Neighborhood Resource Centers, and leadership in the Summer Meals Collaborative, UWGCR has a long-standing commitment to supporting community-based organizations that prioritize early childhood education.
