Thanks to this program started by the United Way Women’s Initiative and the Columbia Public Library, more Columbia preschoolers will have books in their homes at no cost to their families. Columbia babies who sign up will receive a free hardback book in the mail every month until they turn 5. The first book is “The Little Engine That Could” (Dolly’s favorite) and the rest are tailored to the child’s reading level.
Any baby born on or after January 1, 2008 with a Columbia address can sign up. New parents are offered an application and the first book in the hospital.* Application forms are available at the Columbia Public Library and from Parents As Teachers.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began in Dolly’s home state of Tennessee, but has since spread to many counties and cities across the country. For more information about the local program, call the Columbia library Children’s Desk during open hours: (573) 817-7160.
* Thanks are due to the Friends of the Columbia Public Library for purchasing this first title given away by the hospitals. If you would like to contribute to the Imagination Library project, see the United Way's site.
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