Greene County’s 10 Year Imagination Library Anniversary
(CEDARVILLE, Ohio) — Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Greene County’s Imagination Library Program this morning with hundreds of Greene County families currently receiving free books in the program.
“It’s wonderful that the Greene County Public Library has supported and promoted Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for a decade, helping thousands of Ohio families over the years,” said First Lady DeWine. “I’m grateful that Greene County continues to support early childhood literacy and be a leader for other county Imagination Library programs around Ohio.”
Since 2013, nearly 600,000 Imagination Library books have been mailed to children in Greene County. The Greene County Public Library Foundation is the local program partner that administers the program, builds local partnerships, and raises funds to cover half of the monthly book bill. The other half of the book cost is paid for by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. A similar kind of local and state partnership happens across Ohio, helping to ensure that the Imagination Library program remains free to all families who enroll.
“We were honored to have Ohio First Lady DeWine join us to celebrate the families of Greene County who have made such an impact on children’s literacy in our communities,” said Karl Colón, Executive Director of the Greene County Public Library. “Through her vision and dedication, we’ve been able to share this model of success across the state and the nation.”
At today’s celebration, First Lady DeWine and Karl Colón welcomed hundreds of Greene County residents whose children are currently participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Greene County.
Additionally, First Lady DeWine read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle to children and their families during the celebration.
The Imagination Library in Greene County first became available county-wide in November 2013. Currently, 64% of eligible children (5,936) in Greene County are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio.
Statewide, over 59% of eligible children (393,991) are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, each receiving a high quality, age-appropriate book every month in the mail. Any child from birth to age five can enroll in the program at no cost to their family.