By Katie Auman
Reading begins at birth, and the benefits of a home library go far beyond the simple act of reading. That’s why we’re so excited to support the United Way of Larimer County (UWLC) in launching Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Larimer County. Find more details via UWLC Larimer County Imagination Library program.
The Imagination Library is a FREE early literacy program available to children, aged zero to five. Each child will receive age-appropriate books each month through age five hand-selected by a panel of early literacy experts & professionals.
Reading Begins at Birth
Reading at home fosters a love of reading, kindergarten readiness, and social and emotional intelligence. The National Commission on Reading notes, “The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.”
Program research shows between 66-75% of families read more to their children after receiving the Imagination Library books. Most importantly, children develop a lifelong love of learning and reading!
How the Program Works
Families residing in Larimer County can enroll their children at birth, or any time after birth through age 5, through United Way of Larimer County or at a library locations. The Library is an enrollment partner for Imagination Library of Larimer County along with other local public libraries and organizations.
- Imagination Library books are age-appropriate, high-quality titles.
- Registered children receive books in the mail each month from birth to the month of their fifth birthday.
- Books feature the child’s name and mail directly to the child’s home.
- This creates a gifting experience, making books exciting, and showing the child someone is thinking of them.
How to Sign Up Your Child
Visit to United Way of Larimer County to sign up online or stop by any library location for assistance. The libraries also have printed bilingual enrollment forms.
There is an 8-10 week processing period for new registrations. Children registered by the 25th day of the month will receive their first book within ten weeks from the registration date. For example, registrations submitted by September 25th will receive their first book by November 30th.
Celebrate Reading at the Library
Throughout September, Poudre Libraries will host fun early literacy programs and activities to promote Imagination Library. September is also National Library Card Signup Month, so why not sign up your child for a library card and the Imagination Library!
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. They mail over 90 million free books in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. Currently, the program mails over one million specially selected, age-appropriate books monthly to registered children from birth to age five.
Dolly’s vision was to create a lifelong love of reading, prepare children for school and inspire them to dream. Recent studies suggest participation in Imagination Library is positively associated with higher measures of early language and math development.
Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
For more information, please visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
