Preschoolers were scheduled for a treat on Wednesday at Oak Grove Elementary School with leaders of the Marshall County Imagination Library after Gov. Phil Bredesen had proclaimed September 19-25 as Imagination Library Week.
While Gov. Bredesen read stories to Pre-K students at Crockett Elementary School in Brentwood, Marshall County Imagination Library spokeswoman Peggy Hubbard said she'd be doing the same thing at Oak Grove on Franklin Road.
"We are celebrating with the Pre-K classes at Oak Grove," Hubbard said. "We will donate some books and read while there."
Created in 1996 by Dolly Parton as a gift to children in her hometown, Sevierville, the Imagination Library mails a new, age-appropriate book every month to registered children, from birth until age five -- at no cost to the family. Supporters provide $24 annually for the purchase and delivery of 12 books to one child. That cost is split evenly between a non-profit sponsoring organization in every Tennessee county and a state budgetary allocation administered by the Governor's Books from Birth Foundation.
"Our local Marshall County Imagination Library began in 2005," Hubbard said. "We currently have about 1,000 children enrolled. That means 1,000 books go out each month to Marshall County children. A staggering 42,000 books have been delivered to our children in Marshall County since the program's inception."
Sponsored by Nissan, the state's participation -- with local sponsorships from individuals, their service clubs and businesses -- with the organization founded by Dolly Parton this week celebrates 215,000 children receiving free books and more than 10 million books delivered.
Bredesen said, "The program has changed lives by providing them with tools to create a lifetime of learning, developing their vocabulary and school readiness. Our goal is for every child not currently enrolled to have their own library of books so that they can join the thousands of others who are growing and benefiting from this program."
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Modbee.com: Turlock children receive free books
Gavin participates in the ABC Project, a free program that sends books to any Turlock resident younger than 5.
"If I got enough money, I'd love to open it up to any child in Stanislaus County," said director Susan Neufeld, an education professor at California State University, Stanislaus. As it is, money coming in from Arnold has her planning to expand the program into that area early next year.
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
NWTN Today: Books open up a new world for Obion County’s youth
Imagine a home where a child’s proudest possession — sometimes her only possession — is a book.Dolly Parton could imagine it because her own Smoky Mountain childhood was marked by significant material deprivation.
Teachers and child care workers can imagine it because as they visit the homes of little ones, they too often encounter just such situations, even here in Obion County.
Dolly and her army of volunteers in the Imagination Library program she initiated in 1996 cannot provide for every need in a child’s life, but they know from experience they can open the door to a much wider world than some children would otherwise encounter. And for every child, regardless of income level or circumstance of birth, they can nudge that inborn desire to learn and try to nurture that special bond that develops between an adult who reads aloud and a child who hears the words, sees the pictures and snuggles in the arms that hold the book.
As Tennessee celebrates 2010 Imagination Library Week through Saturday, a variety of programs are planned.
Locally, mayors of each Obion County community were given the opportunity to sign special proclamations recognizing the importance of reading aloud to infants and preschoolers and the value of providing these children their own specially-selected books through Dolly’s Imagination Library program and its area affiliate, Obion County Reading Railroad. These proclamations are now on display at each city hall.
WSMV: Gov. Phil Bredesen & Kids Celebrate Imagination Library Week
Gov. Phil Bredesen was at the school to celebrate the 2010 Imagination Library Week, which is Sept. 19-25. Dolly Parton created the program, which mails free books to children from birth to age 5, in 1996.
Six years ago, the governor created his Books From Birth Foundation to support Imagination Library. On Wednesday, he called that move a no-brainer.
"Kids are excited about getting the books in the mail," said Bredesen. "If there's some of them who it touches that might not have books in the home otherwise, perhaps it'll help them in school. But I love the program."
The governor said he especially loves that the program isn't based in Nashville but in the communities, which have stepped up and ensured its success.
More than 10 million free books have been delivered to kids through the program, which serves 215,000 children.
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Children Walk Runway For Literacy
Watch video here: http://news.yahoo.com/video/fayetteville-khbs-18191180/children-walk-runway-for-literacy-21958190
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library enrolls 1,000th child
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| (c) 2010 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL |
as the 1,000th Cocke County child enrolled in the Imagination Library program. Adrian,
son of Jimmy and Tara Raines, was born July 7, 2010. His big brother, Aiden Raines, born
February 21, 2008, was child number 999. With them, from left, are Dr. Rich Lloyd,
standing, chair of the Cocke County Education Foundation, Betty Jones, local Imagination
Library coordinator, and Michael and Anna Tuckner, grandparents of Adrian and Aiden.
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Monday, September 20, 2010
463 Children enrolled in Blackford County!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been part of the Blackford County landscape since Kay Schrope started the program in 2006 through the Blackford Community Foundation and the United Way.
Schrope, a retired elementary teacher, saw the need for better reading skills in her young students. And she knew a love of reading had to be fostered before children began kindergarten. She also knew that many families did not have books to read to their children.
When she read about Dolly Parton’s program she saw it as a means of getting books into every child’s home in Blackford County, Indiana. She just knew the children would pester their parents to read the books to them.
Each child in the Dolly Parton program receives a free book each month. The books are carefully selected for the age of the child and mailed directly to the child’s home. The books are provided until the child reaches his or her 5th birthday.
Since the program began, 348 children have “graduated.” Presently there are 463 enrolled in the program. Every child in Blackford County from birth to age 5 is eligible.
Schrope, a retired elementary teacher, saw the need for better reading skills in her young students. And she knew a love of reading had to be fostered before children began kindergarten. She also knew that many families did not have books to read to their children.
When she read about Dolly Parton’s program she saw it as a means of getting books into every child’s home in Blackford County, Indiana. She just knew the children would pester their parents to read the books to them.
Each child in the Dolly Parton program receives a free book each month. The books are carefully selected for the age of the child and mailed directly to the child’s home. The books are provided until the child reaches his or her 5th birthday.
Since the program began, 348 children have “graduated.” Presently there are 463 enrolled in the program. Every child in Blackford County from birth to age 5 is eligible.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Imagination Library Week is being celebrated in Lincoln County from Sept. 20-24.
In Lincoln County, there will be a celebration that 76.16 percent of pre-school children are receiving a book a month from the Imagination Library, said Teresa Brown of Imagination Library here.
“Books are being mailed to 1,438 children,” Brown said. “Over 70,000 books have been mailed to children since the program began. The ultimate goal is that all children starting school have had books in the home since birth.”
Parents can go to dollysimaginationlibrary.com to change their address if needed. There are also change of address and registration forms available at the Health Department and the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Public Library. The Health Department has registration forms in Spanish.
Parents can go online to www.governorsfoundation . org to register their children.
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Imagination Library looks to expand in Alaska
By Sarah Day
JUNEAU EMPIRE
The popular children's book program Imagination Library will be expanding.
Best Beginnings, part of the Alaska Department of Early Childhood Investment, is seeking applications for communities to either start a Dolly Parton Imagination Library or seeking funds to maintain an existing program.
Imagination Library mails a new, age-appropriate book every month to every child from infancy until they are 5 years old who signs up for the program in a participating community. The Dollywood Foundation manages the delivery system.
Best Beginnings says more than 10,000 Alaska children already participate through 18 Imagination Libraries that serve 48 communities, including Hoonah and Juneau.
Barbara Brown, with Best Beginnings, said they've already received some applications from areas that don't have Imagination Libraries, like Cordova and Fort Yukon.
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JUNEAU EMPIRE
The popular children's book program Imagination Library will be expanding.
Best Beginnings, part of the Alaska Department of Early Childhood Investment, is seeking applications for communities to either start a Dolly Parton Imagination Library or seeking funds to maintain an existing program.
Imagination Library mails a new, age-appropriate book every month to every child from infancy until they are 5 years old who signs up for the program in a participating community. The Dollywood Foundation manages the delivery system.
Best Beginnings says more than 10,000 Alaska children already participate through 18 Imagination Libraries that serve 48 communities, including Hoonah and Juneau.
Barbara Brown, with Best Beginnings, said they've already received some applications from areas that don't have Imagination Libraries, like Cordova and Fort Yukon.
Read full story >>>
TN.GOV: TN Governor Phil Bredesen Proclaims Imagination Library Week
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has officially proclaimed Imagination Library Week (sponsored by Nissan) in Tennessee September 19-25, 2010. During this week, local Imagination Library affiliates in all 95 counties are bringing awareness to the free book program and hoping to boost enrollment across the state.
This year’s events are celebrating the 215,000 Tennessee children under the age of five who currently receive one free high quality age, appropriate book delivered to their home each month, and the fact that more than 10 million free books have been delivered to Tennessee children across the state since 2004.
“I encourage every Tennessee family with children under the age of five to enroll their children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during Imagination Library week,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “During the past six years, this program has reached thousands of children and changed lives by providing them with tools to create a lifetime of learning, developing their vocabulary and school readiness. Our goal is for every child not currently enrolled to have their own library of books so that they can join the thousands of others who are growing and benefiting from this program.”
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This year’s events are celebrating the 215,000 Tennessee children under the age of five who currently receive one free high quality age, appropriate book delivered to their home each month, and the fact that more than 10 million free books have been delivered to Tennessee children across the state since 2004.
“I encourage every Tennessee family with children under the age of five to enroll their children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during Imagination Library week,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “During the past six years, this program has reached thousands of children and changed lives by providing them with tools to create a lifetime of learning, developing their vocabulary and school readiness. Our goal is for every child not currently enrolled to have their own library of books so that they can join the thousands of others who are growing and benefiting from this program.”
Read Full Story >>>
Monday, September 13, 2010
600,000 children receiving books!
Thanks to all new registrations Dolly Parton's Imagination Library officially exceeded 600,000 books per month!
Some areas are funded by the state, some are funded by other non-profit organizations like Reading Railroad or the United Way and some areas are funded by families.
Areas as small as your home and the other mailboxes on your street can be funded by individuals just like you. Even if one grandmother, father or other family member can only afford to provide to 20 or 30 children, that amounts to 20 or 30 more than were receiving the benefits before their efforts began.
If the program is not yet available in your area, perhaps with your help, and with the help of more members within your community, those collective efforts can bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books to the hands of your children!
Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com today to learn more!
Some areas are funded by the state, some are funded by other non-profit organizations like Reading Railroad or the United Way and some areas are funded by families.
Areas as small as your home and the other mailboxes on your street can be funded by individuals just like you. Even if one grandmother, father or other family member can only afford to provide to 20 or 30 children, that amounts to 20 or 30 more than were receiving the benefits before their efforts began.
If the program is not yet available in your area, perhaps with your help, and with the help of more members within your community, those collective efforts can bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books to the hands of your children!
Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com today to learn more!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Imagination Library benefits from UT ticket giveaway
The Cumberland County Imagination Library received a financial boost thanks to the Crossville Chronicle’s UT football ticket giveaway promotion and the generosity of the winner.
Howard Hickerson, a member of the Cumberland County Imagination Library advisory board, was the winner of two season tickets to the 2010 University of Tennessee Volunteers football games. He registered for the Chronicle promotion at Ace Hardware on Peavine Road. Realizing the value of the tickets, he decided to sell the tickets and donate the funds to the Imagination Library, which serves 1,720 Cumberland County youth through the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation.
Full Story Here >>>
Howard Hickerson, a member of the Cumberland County Imagination Library advisory board, was the winner of two season tickets to the 2010 University of Tennessee Volunteers football games. He registered for the Chronicle promotion at Ace Hardware on Peavine Road. Realizing the value of the tickets, he decided to sell the tickets and donate the funds to the Imagination Library, which serves 1,720 Cumberland County youth through the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation.
Full Story Here >>>
Imagination Library Fundraiser | Knox County Public Library
Cool new video promo from Knox County Public Library for their program!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
10 Million Books To Tennessee
The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF) and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are celebrating a significant milestone: more than 10 million free books have been delivered to Tennessee children in all 95 counties since the program began in 2004, developing their vocabulary, school readiness and a love of learning.
Currently, more than 214,000 Tennessee children under the age of five (57 percent) in all 95 counties are receiving an age appropriate, high quality book delivered each month to their home. More than 170,000 children have graduated from the program since 2004.
Locally, the Friends of the Library is the sponsor for the free monthly books from birth to age 5, with around 40% of the county’s eligible children enrolled. There are 437 children receiving the books and 418 have graduated after reaching age 5. The local program began in March 2005. To enroll a Polk County child, contact Jan Lycans at 496-1267 or Jenny Rogers at 338-7669, or register online at www.governorsfoundation.org.
The milestone comes on the heels of the announcement that Tennessee is one of just two states awarded funding in the first round of President Obama’s Race to the Top competition, recognizing our state’s forward thinking in education reform and changing the way the nation views Tennessee’s commitment to education. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a part of that commitment, giving all Tennessee children access to free books and encouraging a lifetime of learning.
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Currently, more than 214,000 Tennessee children under the age of five (57 percent) in all 95 counties are receiving an age appropriate, high quality book delivered each month to their home. More than 170,000 children have graduated from the program since 2004.
Locally, the Friends of the Library is the sponsor for the free monthly books from birth to age 5, with around 40% of the county’s eligible children enrolled. There are 437 children receiving the books and 418 have graduated after reaching age 5. The local program began in March 2005. To enroll a Polk County child, contact Jan Lycans at 496-1267 or Jenny Rogers at 338-7669, or register online at www.governorsfoundation.org.
The milestone comes on the heels of the announcement that Tennessee is one of just two states awarded funding in the first round of President Obama’s Race to the Top competition, recognizing our state’s forward thinking in education reform and changing the way the nation views Tennessee’s commitment to education. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a part of that commitment, giving all Tennessee children access to free books and encouraging a lifetime of learning.
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Junior League Of London
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The Daytona Beach News Journal
If reading is fundamental, September is the time to get busy.
In celebration of Literacy Month, several events are set for this weekend.
On Saturday, a butterfly tales program will be at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. at the park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite books about butterflies to share. After story time with the park ranger, children will have the opportunity to view butterflies and play games, according to a news release from the park.
Entrance fees into all Florida state parks will be waived Friday through Sunday with a library card or the donation of a new or gently used family book, the release said.
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In celebration of Literacy Month, several events are set for this weekend.
On Saturday, a butterfly tales program will be at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. at the park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite books about butterflies to share. After story time with the park ranger, children will have the opportunity to view butterflies and play games, according to a news release from the park.
Entrance fees into all Florida state parks will be waived Friday through Sunday with a library card or the donation of a new or gently used family book, the release said.
Read Full Story >>>
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Celina Imagination Library
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