Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is looking for local support to bring its program to Prince George.
The literacy program was founded by the popular American singer as a tribute to her father who could not read or write.
This experience stuck with her and she worked to bring the program to her hometown. Since then it has grown into a worldwide organization that provides more than three million books to children every month.
Currently, the program provides 7,363 children in BC with one book a month with a total of 537,339 gifted to date through 69 programs.
“It is an amazing program because it touches absolutely everybody that signs up," said Imagination Library regional lead Joanne Saunders. “I don't know many other programs that can reach, say, two, or three thousand families a month. It puts the physical book into children's houses. It lets them read that book over and over. They get the pride of picking it up from the mailbox and they also start building their library.”
This library has been popular in Northern BC, with program partners in towns like Fraser Valley, the Stollow Nation, Abbotsford, Delta South Surrey and Victoria.
Now the program is looking to set up shop in Prince George with local help and support, as Saunders outlined during a public engagement session on Thursday, Feb. 13 at Books and Co.
“We need to find a local program partner that is somebody to take care of the fundraising,” said Saunders. “It is $3.85 per child per book. That is the first step, finding a local program partner, who's going to do the fundraising piece and also manage our book order system … then we need community awareness once we launch the program to start getting people signed up and the kids getting their free books in their hands.”
Program partners can include any organization or non-profit that is looking to provide local children with literacy support during their foundational years.
One of the most important aspects of the Imagination Library is its support of Canadian authors and illustrators with more than 80 per cent of its books being by and for Canadians.
“They are chosen by a panel of Blue Ribbon Canadians,” said Saunders.“We call it the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee. They're a group of Canadians that get together and look over hundreds of books and pick the best ones for our children at their age and their development levels. Yeah, 83 per cent of Canadian authors and illustrators. A big goal of ours is to have more Indigenous books. This year we have eight books from Indigenous authors and illustrators."
Former MLA Shirley Bond was in attendance at the engagement session and told The Citizen how important programs like this are to the community.
“Having the opportunity to ensure that children have exposure to great books is important,” said Bond. “We want to make sure that it's equitable in our region where families have books in their homes. Literacy is essential to student success, so the opportunity for a family to have books in their homes helps prepare children also for the school system and what lies ahead. I've always been very passionate about improving literacy and it was a really interesting presentation so hopefully we'll see some interest sparked in our community.”
If you are interested in supporting the program reach out to Saunders at [email protected]
