Cumberland Now Welcome in Unique Library
Registration is now opening in Cumberland County for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Dollywood Foundation of Canada partnered with local champion Cathy Bates of Malagash and the Cumberland Public Libraries to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to children, from birth to age 5.
Enrolled children receive a new, high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month, at no cost to the families. This creates a personal library of as many as 60 books that form the foundation of a child’s early reading experience. Building a foundation for learning is the most important gift we can provide our children!
A national panel of early childhood literacy experts review hundreds of children’s books each year and choose those that best fit the needs of Canadian children as they learn and grow.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation of Canada, was started by legendary singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and humanitarian, Dolly Parton. Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, she began the program in 1995 with the aim of sharing a love of reading and learning with children of all backgrounds.
Through the Imagination Library, books are mailed to children from birth to age 5, free of charge, regardless of their family’s income. Since inception, the program has gifted over 176 million books to children in five countries and currently mails over 1.9 million books every month.
The regional director for the foundations says, “Reading to your child inspires and encourages a love of reading. A book has the ability to transport a child to a different world, encouraging them to use their imagination, fostering a sense of belonging, and potentially sparking a life-long passion for learning.” Jeanne Smitiuch added, “One of the most important things we can do to improve childhood literacy is to give our children access to books. And one of the best ways to connect and bond with your child is through daily reading especially during this challenging time.”
The key promoter or ‘local champion’ for Cumberland is Cathy Bates who says, “It’s never too early to start reading to children. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps develop literacy, which is a foundation on which all other skills are built.” Bates emphasized, Our children's future is our community's future.”
For newborns it is a reading program for parents or caregivers. As the children grow, they learn to read for themselves until they leave the program at age five and go to school.
To register your children, under the age of five, go to: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/. Registration is free as all expenses are covered by local fundraising and individual sponsors.
A donation of $45 per year will sponsor a child who will receive twelve books per year, mailed directly to the child—kids love getting their own mail. To sponsor a local child, go to https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/?_ga=2.117271302.1408504193.1644266603-292006066.1644266603
Make sure you choose the following selections:
- CAD in the currency dropdown list
- Check the box to designate a specific affiliate
- Make sure Canada is the selected country then select NSCUMBERLAND from the affiliate code list
- Complete your payment online
Local kids are waiting to enrol. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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