The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Free book program helps give kickstart to early reading
Before long, area children will be filling up backpacks and boarding buses as the 2019-20 school year approaches.
For young children beginning kindergarten, school can be an entirely new experience, but it’s one that the Wickliffe Library is helping them prepare for.
Thanks to a new partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library local children under the age of 5 can enroll to receive a series of free
early reader books. This is done as part of an effort to kickstart early childhood literacy.
“Before children start kindergarten there are thousands of words they should know,” says Wickliffe Library’s Lisa Sherlock. “This is a way to get those words to them. You’re getting more words out of books because you’re getting words that you wouldn’t typically see or hear.”
“As a parent or caregiver, snuggling up and reading daily with your child is one of the most important actions you can take to help set them up for future success,” the library said in a statement.
The Imagination Library was made possible in Wickliffe thanks to contributions made from Lubrizol.
“Lubrizol made this happen,” Sherlock said. “We are the only community in Lake County where this is being offered. Part of that is because Lubrizol partnered with the co-op. They’ve always been a huge supporter of our library.” Any child from birth un- til they reach 4 1/2 may register for the free program. Because the final book is issued to coincide on the child’s fifth birthday, the registration cutoff falls six months prior.
The program is currently offered in numerous Cuyahoga communities but Wickliffe remains the only Lake County city to provide the service.
Parents or guardians do not have to pick up their Imagination Library books from the Wickliffe Library. After successfully registering for the program, the books are mailed directly to their home.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library began in 1995 and was founded by the country music legend. It began in Parton’s hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee. After initial success, it spread statewide before reaching national levels in 2000.
Last year, the program marked its 100 millionth book as part of a donation to the U.S. Library of Congress.
For registration information, call Joan Spoerl at 216-577-7585.