The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides one book a month to children from birth through age 5.
AP file photo
Dolly Parton is known for the songs she sings. She also likes to read and founded the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Nancy Sarno Delos Rios explained how she became involved with the Dolly Parton Library,
“I saw a Facebook post about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and wondered if it was in Lackawanna County,” Sarno Delos Rios said. “I started an affiliate with United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties. Support was received from several foundations and the program got its local start in April of 2022.”
According to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library web site, Dolly Parton’s dad did not know how to read which was the reason why the Dolly Parton Imagination Library got its start. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library launched in 1995 and quickly grew. The first books were only distributed to children living in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Dolly grew up. By 2003, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library had mailed one million books. Children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland receive books.
The Dolly Parton Library insures a personalized book for a registered child from birth to age 5 each month. The Little Engine That Could is one of the first books a child receives. The books are also bilingual.
Peg Kopko, vice president of community impact at the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, explains how United Way became involved with the Dolly Parton Imagination library.
“We had requests from the community to look into this worthwhile literacy program in our community,” Kopko said. “This is a very important program for children and families in our community. We reviewed this program and researched the actual funding to support this program and decided to start this program in January of 2022. We are only a year old and have had a tremendous request for this program. The Imagination Library Foundation has identified metrics to measure growth and in growth first year, number of children enrolled really should happen by year 3. We have registered almost 2,500 children for the program.”
Leadership Lackawanna helped in the fall of that year to sign families up.
“Our group attended two pop-up events that allowed us to promote the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and collect enrollments for the program,” said Bridget Connor, Leadership Lackawanna and assistant community office manager at FNCB Bank Dickson City office. “The two pop-up events consisted of the Craftopia Valentine’s Craft Show and the 1st annual Moosic Easter Egg Hunt. At both events, we occupied a table, shared information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and collected registrations. In May of 2022, we collaborated with the Lackawanna County Library to Launch our event. At the library, families were able to sign their children up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, listen to a song and story and enjoy some ice cream.
We also reached out to various day care centers in Lackawanna County to pass along the information about the Dolly Parton imagination Library.
“Some children aren’t introduced to books or read to until they are required to attend school. This program puts books into children’s hands at the age of birth to age 5. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library bridges the gap,” said Donna Kane, of Leadership Lackawanna and branch manager at Fidelity Bank Green Ridge Branch.
“Numerous studies have shown that the Imagination Library program has a positive significant impact on family literary habits, kindergarten readiness and supporting grade level reading by third grade. United Way is pleased to support this in our community,” said Kopto.
According to the Dolly Parton web site, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library benefits early speech and language development, exposes children to a more diverse vocabulary and prepares children for academic success.
“I was fortunate to meet and work with a fabulous group of ladies that successfully introduced the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Lackawanna County. It is fundamental to get children interested in reading at an early age. It promotes brain development, imagination and helps to develop early literacy skill,” said Connor.
“People who weren’t read to, do not know how to read to their children. It is sad to think that kids don’t have books. If you love to read, sponsor a child,” said Delos Rios.
The program is not accepting children at this time and has a waiting list. The funding needs to grow to support and add additional children.
For $30, you can support a child for one year and provide the child with 12 books and for $150 you can support a child for the entire program from birth to age 5 and provide the child with 60 books.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Nancy Sarno Delos Rios at njrios115@gmail.com.
