Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Launches in Butte County

Children in Butte County, California, will soon have access to free books delivered to their homes each month, thanks to a new initiative from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This partnership, established with the Butte County Office of Education (BCOE), aims to foster early literacy and promote a love of reading among young children.

Michelle Lucero, senior director of BCOE Early Education Programs and Services, expressed excitement about the program: “When children read early and often, they build the language, confidence and imagination to thrive. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library makes that possible for every family in our community with young children, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to make it happen here.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has distributed over 300 million books to children across the United States and beyond. Research has shown significant benefits of the program on early childhood development and literacy skills, as highlighted by Lucero.

Parents, grandparents, and legal guardians can register children aged from birth to five years at no cost. Each child can be enrolled individually, allowing families with multiple children to take full advantage of the program. Once registered, children will start receiving books at their home addresses approximately eight to ten weeks after completing their registration. The first book they will receive is the classic, The Little Engine That Could, followed by age-appropriate titles delivered monthly thereafter. Interested parties can register at imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/.

The initiative has already gained momentum; since its launch, 800 children have been registered, according to Lucero. “This is super exciting for us and for the kids,” she added.

To implement the Imagination Library in any community, a local nonprofit must act as the fiscal conduit, allowing the program to qualify for bulk mailing rates. Additionally, the local organization must demonstrate sufficient funding for one to two years to support the program. In Butte County, the BCOE Charitable Trust took on this role. After a year of fundraising, supported by contributions from various community organizations, including the Oroville Friends of the Library, Chico Sunrise Rotary, and the Chico Noon Exchange Club, the necessary funds were secured.

The Imagination Library estimates that around 11,000 children in Butte County could benefit from this program. The annual cost to provide books to each child is $31. However, recent legislation passed in California allows the state to contribute funds from the state library system, effectively reducing the local cost to $15.50 per child per year. This investment illustrates the state’s commitment to enhancing literacy.

To mark the launch of the Imagination Library in Butte County, BCOE is hosting a community event titled Lil’ Readers Rodeo: Ride into Reading with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This event will take place on November 20, 2023, from 17:00 to 18:30 at the BCOE Center for Learning and Resilience, located at 655 Oleander Ave., Chico. Attendees will enjoy light refreshments, reading activities for children, and the opportunity to take photos with a life-size cutout of Dolly Parton.

For further information about the Imagination Library program in Butte County, including registration by mail or how to support the initiative through donations, interested individuals can contact Michelle Lucero at 530-532-5763 or via email at [email protected].