The City of Sault Ste. Marie has recently launched the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which aims to promote a love of reading among young children. This global initiative provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to five years old, with the goal of sparking a lifelong passion for reading and learning. Mayor Matthew Shoemaker expressed his excitement about the program, stating that it will have a significant impact on children’s early literacy skills and help instill a love for reading that will last a lifetime.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, named in honor of the iconic music artist’s father, sends a free book to registered children each month until they reach the age of five. This initiative not only supports early literacy but also strengthens family bonds as parents and caregivers engage in the joy of reading with their children. To be eligible for the program, children must be between the ages of birth and five years old, reside in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and be registered by a responsible adult, such as a parent or guardian.
Families in Sault Ste. Marie can enroll their children in the program by visiting the official registration page. The success of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the community relies on the support of local donors, as the cost per child is $46 per year. With 3,040 eligible children in Sault Ste. Marie, spots are limited based on the amount of funding received. In its pilot year, the City hopes to secure additional sponsors or individuals to support the program’s growth so that every child in the community has the opportunity to develop a love for reading.
Those interested in donating to the program can visit the Canada Helps donation page. The initiative is supported by various organizations, including the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, Kiwanis Club of Sault Ste. Marie, the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie, and Avery Construction Ltd. For more information, individuals can visit the official website of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Since its inception in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become a leading early childhood book-gifting program globally. The initiative has distributed over 240 million free books in countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. Through funding from The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community Partners, the Imagination Library sends out over 3 million high-quality books to children’s homes each month. The program aims to foster a lifelong love of reading and inspire children to dream, learn, care, and be more.
Penguin Random House Canada is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Canada. Extensive research has shown the positive impact of the program on early childhood development and literacy skills. For more information about the program, individuals can visit the official website.