As of Wednesday, August 4th, 399 children in Wlliston, North Dakota were signed up to receive free books through the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.This is more than Mike Heen, program coordinator, thought would sign up; he had a goal of getting 250 children signed up for Imagination Library. Williston Public School District 1 has raised $6,300 for the program, which is enough money to keep it going at least until next spring, Heen said.
Heen met with District 1 staff earlier this year to get the program started for his Leadership Williston project. Deb Roel, parent involvement coordinator for the school district, is the contact person for the program. Roel said she's received a call from a parent in Fargo who is moving to Williston and wondered how her child could continue receiving books.
Started in 1996 by the country music singer and actress, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was created to encourage reading at an early age for a successful education. Each month, a new, carefully-selected book is mailed to the child until he or she turns 5 years old. The program is free and can start when the child is born.
Dolly Parton presented the reading program's 25 millionth book to a 4-year-old in Birmingham, Alabama in June.
"Dream More! Learn More! Care More! Be More!"
