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Published: 14 March 2018 14 March 2018

tabor family rsThe Tabor FamilyCountry music legend, Dolly Parton, visited the Library of Congress a few weeks ago to celebrate delivery of the Imagination Library's 100 millionth book. Parton founded the nonprofit program in 1995 as a way to help kids in her native Sevier County, Tennessee, by giving them early access to books, something her father never had. Now, every month, the Imagination Library mails a free book to more than a million children living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

The program is available to babies, toddlers and preschoolers under five years who live in communities where local partners are working with the Imagination Library. Books are mailed at no cost to the family, regardless of income. Partners often include groups like United Way, Rotary International, and library foundations. Affiliates pay about $25 per child per year to cover the cost of the book and shipping. The Imagination Library of Grant County, founded in 2010 by Barbara and Loren Nelson, will soon mail its 100,000th book to a child living in Grant County, NM.

Parents say their children love getting books in the mail every month, because the books are addressed to the child and feel like a personal gift. Books cover a wide range of subjects from poverty to inventions, and some in each age group are bilingual in Spanish and English. Books also include tips for parents about getting the most out of reading aloud by using prompts and asking questions. A panel of educators and reading specialists choose books annually according to what is developmentally appropriate for each year of a child's life.

Many families say they feel sad when they get the last book around the child's fifth birthday. Imagination Library focuses on the earliest years of a child's life when human brain development is most rapid. Studies have found that reading aloud to babies has lasting cognitive benefits while promoting literacy and a love of reading. "It also helps children build knowledge and expand their horizons," Dolly Parton said. "So I just think that it's important for kids to be encouraged to read, to dream and to plan for a better life and better future."

Before he died in 2000, Dolly's father was proud to hear her called "The Book Lady," one of the titles that means the most to her. One of her favorite books, The Little Engine That Could, is the first book sent to children as a welcome gift.

For more information, contact The Imagination Library of Grant County at 575.519.4464, office@imaginationlibrarygc.org or visit www.imaginationlibrarygc.org.