URGENT UPDATE: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has officially launched in Butte County, providing eligible children with free books delivered monthly to their homes. This significant partnership between the Butte County Office of Education (BCOE) and the renowned literacy program aims to enhance early childhood literacy right now, with over 800 children already registered since the launch on Tuesday.
“Children who read early and often build the language, confidence, and imagination to thrive,” stated Michelle Lucero, senior director of BCOE Early Education Programs and Services. The initiative will empower families in the community, allowing parents, grandparents, and legal guardians to register children from birth to 5 years old at no cost.
The program is expected to reach as many as 11,000 children in Butte County, making a profound impact on literacy skills and childhood development. Registered children will begin receiving age-appropriate books about eight to ten weeks after registration, starting with the classic “The Little Engine That Could.”
To celebrate the launch, BCOE is hosting a free event titled “Lil’ Readers Rodeo: Ride into Reading with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” on November 20, 2023, from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at the BCOE Center for Learning and Resilience located at 655 Oleander Ave., Chico. Families are invited for a fun-filled evening with reading activities, refreshments, and a chance to take photos with a life-size cutout of Dolly Parton.
The Imagination Library has already distributed over 300 million books globally since its inception in 1995, underscoring its proven effectiveness in promoting early literacy. The program’s funding structure allows local nonprofits to serve as fiscal conduits for book mailings, qualifying them for bulk mailing rates. The Butte County Office of Education Charitable Trust has taken on this role, securing necessary fundraising support through community organizations like Oroville Friends of the Library and Chico Sunrise Rotary.
The annual cost to provide the program is $31 per child, but thanks to new state legislation, local funding is matched by state library funds, reducing the cost to just $15.50 per year. This commitment reflects a strong investment in literacy, a crucial element for the education and future success of children in Butte County.
For more information about registering for the Imagination Library or to support the program through donations, contact Michelle Lucero at 530-532-5763 or via email at [email protected]. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for families in Butte County, reinforcing the importance of reading and education for the youngest members of the community.
