JJAB News:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that promotes the love of reading by giving free, age-appropriate books to children from birth until their 5 th birthday, is coming to Los Alamos.
The local, early childhood literacy program will begin registering children Aug. 29. A parent or legal guardian may register a child for the Imagination Library at any time up until the child turns five. There is no cost to the family.
Every month registered children will receive in the mail a book. If a child starts the program at birth, he/she will have a library of 60 books by the time he/she is ready for kindergarten. All children under five who live in the 87544 or 87547 zip code areas are eligible.
Parents or legal guardians can register their children online by going to www.imaginationlibrary.com and then clicking the “Register My Child” tab located at the top of the page. Alternately, a child may be registered by completing an Imagination Library registration form. Registration forms will be available at the Mesa Public Library on Aug. 29, 2017, at the Imagination Library kick-off and community playdate event, and at other community sites.
There are no restrictions to the number of age eligible children in a family that can be registered. Even twins can receive their own books.
With one exception, the books that a child receives will be determined by the child’s age. The exception is that all registered children in the United States receive “The Little Engine that Could” as their first book. Books in the Imagination Library are selected by child development experts to ensure that the books are appropriate for most children of a similar age. Books are in English, but twice a year bilingual books are sent to children. Books also reflect the diversity of our community and country.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded in 1995 by performer and philanthropist, Dolly Parton.
The program originated in Sevier County, Tennessee. It has since expanded, and communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia now participate in the program. In July 2017, more than one million books were mailed to children. To date, almost 93 million books have been provided to youngsters.
The Los Alamos affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is financially supported by the Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB). The Los Alamos affiliate of the Imagination Library is grateful for the assistance of the United States Postal Service and for the support of The Imagination Library of New Mexico.
For additional information, contact 505.709.8125.