Who We Are
Addison County Readers is the proud sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book program for children below the age of 5 who live in Addison County. Since 2007, we have been sending free books each month to the homes of preschoolers enrolled in our program. Children of different ages receive different books and they are theirs to keep. Any child is welcome to register and receive engaging books, at no cost to their family.
Why Is this Program So Important?
Books enrich children’s lives. Children who are read to at home from the earliest age, experience the richness of stories and build a foundation for literacy that lasts a lifetime.
For many of our participants, because of family circumstances, Imagination Library books may be the only ones they own. Think of their joy, getting a wonderful book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the mail each month that is theirs to read again and again. We believe that having books available in the home will have a direct impact on a child’s later success in school: children who read every day are building a foundation for literacy and start school with this advantage.
What We Do
Addison County Readers is a local, all-volunteer-run organization. Currently nearly 1,000 Addison County preschoolers are enrolled and receive a monthly selection. ACR recruits children to the program and pays for the cost of the Imagination Library books and postage that are mailed to them each month. To raise this money, ACR depends on support from the community: our towns, civic organizations, local businesses, and donations from generous individuals.
Testimonials from Recent Parent Surveys
~ "The Imagination Library has been a blessing to our family! We are considered to be in the “poverty zone criteria” so money is very tight, and we really can’t afford to buy much even with my husband working over 60 hours a week, say nothing about affording books. We do go to the library but the kids LOVE seeing a new “keep able” book in the mail."~
~ "I love this wonderful program! Mom and Dad and baby (8 months) are all excited to get a new book in the mail each month. Also, I love that this program sends books I may not have selected or didn’t know about. It is AWESOME!!!"~
~ "I wish this program were available in all counties! My son really had a great time going down to the mailbox to see if he had gotten a new book from Miss Dolly. He has loved to read books since he was very young. From his love of reading he learned to read when he was three years old. Now at 5, his reading level is way beyond his peers. Thank you so much to Dolly Parton and the many volunteers that help this program see the light of day. I wish it didn't have to end, but we are VERY grateful for the blessing it has brought to our lives." ~
