North Coast Literacy Now and Prince Rupert Port Authority team up to sponsor Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

As readers around the North Coast dig in to a few good books to take part in Family Literacy Day, a new partnership between North Coast Literacy Now and the Prince Rupert Port Authority is bringing one more resource forward towards literacy in the region.

With a re-introduction today to  Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the initiative a book gifting program that provides young children with new books monthly, free of charge. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created by the renowned philanthropist and country music icon with the goal of inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere. 

“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” -- Dolly Parton

Since its inception in 1995, the program has partnered with community-based non-profits like NCLN to deliver more than 150 million books to kids in six countries, at no cost to their families. In British Columbia, more than 5,800 children are registered to receive books each month from the Imagination Library through their own local literacy affiliates.

North Coast Literacy Now first launched the initiative in Prince Rupert in spring 2021 and with funding support from PRPA, the organization will continue to offer the program to the community into 2023.

North Coast Literacy Now’s Literacy Outreach Coordinator Kate Toye, noted how the program has been a good community benefit for the youngest readers in the city.  

"Sharing stories with your child helps to develop social skills, enhances one's imagination and helps to form the foundation of one's learning abilities. Studies show the immense benefit for a child to have their own books, not to mention how wonderful it is to see the joy of reading grow in a child. We are delighted to work with the Prince Rupert Port Authority to grow the reach and impact of Dolly's Imagination Library in Prince Rupert so more families can benefit from the program."

The way the program works, every month, children registered in the program receive a brand new, age-appropriate book in the mail, addressed directly to each child. 

Families with multiple children under five are welcome to sign up their kids individually. The service is free for all participants. 

PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson outined the Port's involvement and encouraged families across the region to join in. 

 “Every child, no matter their background, deserves the chance to discover and develop a love for reading. We are proud to support North Coast Literacy Now in this important endeavour and encourage more families to sign-up for the Imagination Library to receive books every month.” 

To be eligible to explore the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, children must be no older than five and live in the city of Prince Rupert. 

You can explore more on the program in Prince Rupert here. 

More notes on Community themes and events can be found here.