A program started in Tennessee by a country music star is getting ready to take root here, meaning that every child will be eligible to receive a free hardback book each month via mail until he or she is 5 years old.
The program — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — started in 1996. Since then, it has worked with other communities wanting to do the same thing by picking the books, buying them in bulk and shipping them to each child’s home.
However, communities have to find a way to fund it, which is where the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County and Community Alliance to Promote Education, or CAPE, come in. The foundation donated $75,000 to be spread over the first two years of this program. CAPE is matching $31,600 of that, according to Becky King, director of the CAPE grant initiative.
The Floyd County program will officially kick off in August, at a date yet to be set.
King said Floyd County is taking the program a step further than other areas. Instead of just getting a book, parents will receive newsletters explaining how to help their child enjoy and learn from the book, and the books will be used in workshops CAPE already does in Title 1 and Head Start schools.
“I think this program really combines some really good practice we know is out there,” King said. “First of all, it puts books in the home ... and because of what we’re going to be doing in addition to the book distribution, I think it becomes a very powerful program.”
Jerry Finn, executive director of the foundation, said Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was picked because it promotes literacy and that it works.
“There is data that shows that kids do well because of this,” Finn said. “It’s a proven program that does benefit children. Second, it’s putting a great book in the hands of a child every month. ... We can’t wait until a child walks into the doors of a school to begin shaping their education. The earlier we can begin shaping their education, the better off they will be when they do go into school.”
Once the program is started, every child younger than 5 can sign up to get the books. The books will continue until that child’s 5th birthday. According to the latest Census in 2000, that would total 4,603 qualified children in Floyd County.
Imagination Library’s Web site says it will likely take about five years until there is 100 percent participation, which would cost in excess of $90,000 a year. It predicts that the county will only see 20 percent participation by the end of the first year. However, Finn said he hopes it grows quicker than that.
King said she believes that as the excitement and enrollment builds on this program, more community donors will step up.
“I think this is something everyone will want to be involved in,” she said.
She added that these books will come personally addressed to each child during a very crucial time in his or her development. She said she feels that will help get them ahead in school.
Finn said he’s looking forward to comparing test scores years down the road to ones previously to see how much this program has helped children get ahead.
Recent Local News
Program to give each child younger than 5 a free book each month
- Recent Local News
-
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- Police: Gunman has hostages in Indiana realty office
-
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Collingsworth Family to perform at Silver Heights Retreat Center in New Albany
The Collingsworth Family will be making a return trip to the Silver Heights Retreat and Camp Center in New Albany on Thursday, June 7.
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
-
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
-
Top Gun showing Saturday at the New Albany riverfront
In honor of Memorial Day, the city of New Albany will show the movie “Top Gun” on its new 40-foot screen at the Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
