http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/imagination-library-coming-greene-county_60019.mp3
Children in Springfield will soon be receiving free books in the mail each month. The Springfield-Greene County Library is currently accepting child enrollment for Imagination Library from zip codes 65802, 03, 06 and 07.
Jennifer Kennally is executive director of the United Way of the Ozarks. She says singer Dolly Parton launched the program in her home county in Tennessee in the mid 90s…
"It's the result of Dolly's desire to make sure that every small child has books of their own, that they learn to read in the arms of a loving and caring adult," she said.
Kennally says efforts were made unsuccessfully to bring the program to Springfield a few years ago. Efforts this time, with the help of author David Harrison, were successful.
Kids ages birth to four years are eligible to take part in Imagination Library…
"The idea is that we want children to be familiar with books and love reading by the time that they enter kindergarten," she said.
Children who are enrolled receive one age-appropriate book each month addressed to them. Each book comes with tips for caregivers on how to read to a child.
While only kids in certain zip codes that have a large number of low-income families can sign up now, Kennally says they hope to expand the program to all of Springfield in two years and to all of Greene County in three years.
The cost to fund the program for one child for a year is $25.
To donate or to find out more about Imagination Library, call the United Way at 863-7700.