Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008

Imagination Library kickoff set for next week in York, Clover

By Staff Reports

Enquirer Herald

YORK -- If you want to make sure children are ready to learn in school, one of the best guarantees is to read to them when they're young.

That's the message of the Early Learning Partnership of York County.

To help make this possible, the organization is launching Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in our community. This means every child between the ages of birth to age 5 living in York and Clover is eligible to receive an age-appropriate hardcover book each month.

"No child will be turned away," said Donna Wooldridge, Executive Director of the Early Learning Partnership.

The way it works is communities that want to take part pay for books, mailing, promotion and registration. Parton's foundation manages book delivery.

Kids get a variety of titles aimed at their age groups. Infants, for example, get "Giggles With Daddy" and "Where's My Nose." Five-year-olds can check the mail for "A Place Called Kindergarten" and "Why do mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears?"

The total cost is about $30 per child, which is covered by donations and charitable contributions. The payoff is worth the investment, Wooldridge said.

On Sept. 9, an Imagination Library kickoff celebration will be held at the York Family Resource Center, 37 Pinckney St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

Another kickoff celebration will be held Sept. 11 at the Clover Family Resource Center, 706 Old N. Main St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

The Imagination Library was created by Dolly Parton in 1996 so every preschool child in her home of Sevier County, Tenn., would have their own library of books that would encourage in them love of reading and learning. The program was so successful and generated such interest from across the country that the singer decided to offer her Imagination Library for replication in any community that would support it.

"We are truly indebted to Dolly for creating this wonderful program. We are excited to offer this program to the families in York County," said Wooldridge. "Reading to your children is a wise investment in their future and the future of our community."

To learn more about the new program, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com or contact Donna Wooldridge at 323-2180 or wooldridged@winthrop.edu.

-- The Herald contributed