An international children’s book reading program initiated five years ago in Door County is showing some impressive results.
The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program began in 2019 in Door County with about 100 children and has grown to impact nearly 1,500 kids under five. Chad Welch, United Way Community Impact Coordinator-Education, says the fantastic results are reflected in 442 surveys completed by parents with children who participated in the program. He summarized some key points found in the survey results.
Welch notes that the data shows that Imagination Library reaches various households, including those with different income levels and educational backgrounds.
Door County has seen 702 children graduate from the program, which ends when the child turns five years old. When factoring in the 784 children receiving books, the program impacted about 96 percent of all children in the county. The funding of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library put books into the hands of over 231 Door County children who come from homes that cannot meet basic needs without subsidized help.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library first launched in Tennessee nearly 30 years ago and mails over 1 million free books each month around the World. The books arrive directly at the child’s home, with the local affiliate securing the funds for the books and shipping fees.
