Dolly Parton’s imagination library comes to Guelph

Soon, 100 young children in Guelph will be sent a free book each month, all thanks to country music star Dolly Parton.

The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is coming to Guelph. The free book program was inspired by Parton's father, who was unable to read. Since its inception in 1995, it has distributed over 188-million books to children by mail in Canada, U.S., U.K. and Australia. 

Starting Tuesday, children ages zero to five living in the Brant neighbourhood can register for the program. 

“The books they choose are just really thoughtful and beautiful, there's great books about science, so it's to develop that curiosity about the world and just kind of grow you further out then your little bubble that you're in,” said Carolyn Weatherson, vice president of the Guelph chapter, about the program.

The idea to bring the program to Guelph came from chapter president, Michelle Letwin. Weatherson explains Letwin has a young child and is passionate about literacy.

Last year, Letwin approached Weatherson about the idea and they worked with Brendan Johnson from the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC) for fundraising ideas. They also worked with one of the GNSC neighbourhood groups to secure a $5,000 grant. 

“When we got that grant, that we knew that we had the capacity now to launch it for registration,” said Weatherson. “It's about $45 per child per year, so we will be able to start our first 100 children on Tuesday.”

Weatherson said the Brant neighbourhood was identified by the GNSC as a starting point for the program. Program registration will take place at the Garden Fresh Program at 35 Algonquin Dr., or online at this link. 

Currently owning a little library, Weatherson said she saw how the little library brought joy and pleasure to residents young and old. Once books are delivered to program participants, she hopes it becomes a bonding opportunity for both the kids and their caregivers.

“When Michelle called me about this Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the idea of being able to give free books to young children and to get them early and excited about reading right from the get-go, because you can sign up your child as soon as they're born from birth to age five, I thought, 'What a wonderful thing that children can have that love of reading, right from the beginning.'”

Weatherson adds introducing children to reading early in life can also help them prepare for school.

“It's so much better for the children if they have that (reading ability) already, it just gives them a head start.”

The program is currently in 86 communities across Ontario. To help it grow in Guelph, Weatherson said they will need to depend on residents supporting future fundraising efforts.

“What I would love to see someday, is that every time a child is born in Guelph, that they automatically get signed onto the program and get books. That would be wonderful if it was ever possible someday, but for now, we're starting with this test area, and as we get more money, then it will grow to other communities,” said Weatherson.

To learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, go to imaginationlibrary.com.