Posted by Anne Decker on Aug 04, 2021
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is providing free books for children.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was created in 1995 to share the life and legacy of Dolly Parton as an inspiration to all children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More. Erin Hardesty is heading up the local program for Women United, an initiative of the United Way of Greater Lima whose goal is to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She told us that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library gives one free book every month to children ages birth through five, regardless of income in order to help inspire a love of reading and learning in children. " A baby’s brain grows rapidly before entering school; it is 90%  developed by age 4. Children with access to more  books and who are read to  more often have greater brain activity in areas  involving imagination, language and understanding. Reading is the key for lifelong learning and the single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in school, work, and life in general." It costs $25 to give one child a new book every month for a year. The Ohio State Legislature provides half of the funding each year and Mid-Ohio Energy provides the other half. To sign up your children or grandchildren, just go to OhioImaginationLibrary.org. Every month, you child will receive an age appropriate book mailed directly to him or her.
Also at Monday's meeting, we welcomed two new members: Sarah Newland, the new director of Allen County Children Services; and Cindy Endsley, Superintendent of the Perry Local School District. Welcome, ladies!