Scenes from past events. Courtesy photo
Courtesy photoJJAB News:
In August 2018, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was introduced to Los Alamos County children.
During the past year, the program has seen incredible growth with 4,040 free books mailed to 500 children in the County. The Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) is proud to sponsor this program locally, and the generous support of multiple donors has allowed the program to thrive.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program that promotes the love of reading by giving free, age-appropriate books to children from birth until their fifth birthday. There is no cost to the family, and each month the child receives in the mail a carefully selected book. If a child starts the program at birth, the child will have a library of 60 books by the time they are ready for kindergarten. The only criteria for participation in the local program are registered children must be under the age of five and must live in the 87544 or 87547 zip code. There are no restrictions to the number of age eligible children in a family that can be registered.
A Los Alamos parent stated “My sons, currently 4 years and 19 months, love receiving their Imagination Library book in the mail every month. The books sent are rich in vocabulary and have beautiful illustrations that normally spark extra discussions, especially with my four-year-old. These books quickly become favorites and are asked to be read over and over again. I often hear my four-year-old picture reading his books once he is more familiar with the stories. Studies say that the greatest way to increase a child’s intelligence, and school readiness in the pre-school years, is by reading to them.”
JJAB wishes to thank the following groups and organizations for financially supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Los Alamos:
- The Delle Foundation
- Emily Bradley Memorial Fund
- 100+ Women Who Care – Los Alamos
- Los Alamos Public Schools
- Southwest Council of Governments
- Grant County Imagination Library
Parents and caregivers may register their eligible children online at imaginationlibrary.com or by completing an Imagination Library registration form (contact JJAB for a form).
For additional information about the Los Alamos Affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library contact Lisa Zuhn at 505.709.8125 or info@losalamosjjab.com.
Also, Saturday, Sept. 15, the local Imagination Library affiliate will host a booth at the Los Alamos Health Fair. Children who register at the fair will receive their first Imagination Library book on that date.
