News
Imaginary Library coming to the County
Imagination Library Press Department andScott Wagar
03/20/2012
Preschool children of Bottineau County will start receiving free books in the mail. The Bottineau County Imagination Library group is working with the Bottineau County Public Library’s Seeds Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to local preschool children. Every child in Bottineau County who signs up for the program will receive one age appropriate book per month from birth to age five.
“Our purpose is to improve early childhood literacy in Bottineau County,” said Roberta Henry, president of the Bottineau County Imagination Library Board.
“We feel this program will help ignite a child’s love of reading, as well as provide them with an advantage once they begin their formal education.”
The experiences of thousands of families, as well as research in child development, affirm the benefits of early learning experiences for children.
Research shows that activities such as reading regularly with children, beginning in infancy, can produce a significant growth in I.Q., which lasts a child’s lifetime. Parents are the first and most important teachers their children will ever have.
“I hope that every family in Bottineau County will experience the joy and wonder of their children’s imaginations as they learn about the world and its many surprises,” Parton said. “If we can help turn the dreams of a child into the promise of a bright future, then one of my biggest dreams will come true.”
The Dollywood Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit foundation founded in 1988 by Parton to support educational projects and improve the quality of life in Parton’s native Sevier County, Tennessee. The mission of the foundation is to share the life and legacy of Parton as an inspiration for children to “Dream more…learn more…care more…and be more.”
The Imagination Library is a 60-volume home library for preschool children. It was created to stimulate children’s imaginations and encourage reading within the family at an early age. A panel of child educators selects the books for the library each year, always beginning the series with a special copy of “The little engine that could.”
In December of 1999, Parton announced that she would extend the opportunity to communities to replicate The Imagination Library in their own area. While each community must financially support its own effort, the Dollywood Foundation will provide technical assistance in setting up the program, assist with public relations and marketing materials, work with Parton on national/international promotional efforts and convene the growing network to inspire, share and innovate. The Dollywood Foundation will also manage the composition of the library and coordinate the ordering and mailing of the books to maximize cost effectiveness.
“By working with the Dollywood Foundation, the Bottineau County Imagination Library can implement this program for only $25 per child enrolled per year,” Henry said. “That’s only $2.08 per month for the book and the mailing of the book.”
Mary Grosgebauer, social science teacher at Bottineau High School, established the Imagination Library in Bottineau County after learning about the program at a teacher’s convention.
The Bottineau County Imagination Library Board is made up of: Grosegbauer, Henry, Greg Bernstein, Jeff Shriver, Beth Reitan, Nadine Lodoen, Jason Kersten, Clint Reinoehl, Deb Syvertson and John Gruenberg.
Anyone interested in receiving more information is encouraged to contact the Bottineau County Library at 228-2967.