Dolly Parton has created an extraordinary program to introduce children to the love of reading. The Imagination Library concept was developed in her home county in the Appalachian region of east Tennessee and has gone global.
The Friends of the Hardin County Public Library is promoting a campaign to raise $10,000 locally to put books in the hands of local preschoolers. It has partnered with Central Kentucky Community Foundation to create an endowment and an anonymous benefactor promises to match local contributions.
The Friends of the Library has been the local affiliate for the Imagination Library since April 2021 and has nearly 700 children enrolled.
The books are free to the families but there is a cost associated with the service, which comes to about $25 per child a year.
The goal is to raise at least $10,000 by Sept. 30 and take advantage of the matching fund pledge of up to $10,000.
The community foundation is coordinating this effort. If you have helped, thank you so much. If you want to contribute, go to ckcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate.
This is an outstanding and generous program. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is making a significant impact on early childhood education and the Friends of the Library are delivering it to local homes. They just need a little help from the rest of us.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
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