Support Young Readers through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
“Her favorite book is by far One Leaf, Two Leaves. I even ask her to ‘read’ it to me. She pretty much has it memorized. And when she is done says ‘end’ and giggles. Then reads it again. Thank you for this amazing and wonderful program!”
A child sits on their parents’ lap and reads a book. Imagination Library helps families build their home libraries and foster a love of reading in their young children.
When a child enters third grade, they begin a critical transition that impacts their future: when they stop “learning to read” and start “reading to learn.” Children who aren’t reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, which also impacts college graduation rates, lifetime earnings, and more.
Right now across Lane County, 55% of third graders are not reading proficiently. Reading scores are even lower for kids in rural parts of Lane County, where there are fewer resources like libraries and where more families live in poverty.
Access to engaging, age-appropriate books, however, is one crucial way to increase a child’s likelihood of reading proficiently by third grade, setting them on the path to graduate on time. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is doing just that.
This year, 1,803 kids in rural Lane County are enrolled in this free book-gifting program. Every month from birth to their 5th birthday, each child receives a beautiful, brand-new book right to their mailbox, building their home library and inspiring a love of reading.
With a funding gap looming, United Way must raise $50,000 in the next few months for Imagination Library – help us write a new story for Lane County kids and ensure they keep receiving books and more families can enroll!
A Lane County child smiles at the camera as they read their Imagination Library book on the beach in Florence, Oregon.
“Because of the Imagination Library she knows her numbers (One Leaf, Two Leaves) and colors (Red House, Blue House)! She has...been able to identify all of her letters since 18 months. Imagination Library books are read every day in our house. We all love to read and I know these books have contributed to that joy.”
Will you make a donation to our Imagination Library program? For $28 per year, you can give a local child the gift of a brand-new book delivered to their house every month. Your gift of $112 supports 4 children; and a gift of $1,000 supports 35 children.
Please consider making a gift so we can continue to grow this powerful book-gifting program. Your generosity will benefit kids in rural parts of our community not just today, but for years to come.
“I am so deeply moved by the giving of these books and what it means to families...The books that are given I know were selected with much thought and we are so excited to see what the future books will be! My little [daughter] loves her books and I am so happy we have tangible ways to learn how to read!”
