Libraries in Black Hawk County Are Helping Dolly Parton

In a story from KWWL, Cedar Falls Community Foundation and the Black Hawk Co. library system are partnering with Dolly Parton's Foundation to help bring books to kids. Dolly is a huge proponent of childhood reading programs so she started her own in 1995. The Imagination Library tries to give children a book every month from the time that they are born until they turn 5 years old. In total, that accumulates to 60 books the child would own and learn to read as early as possible.

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This program is already in many Iowa counties, so Black Hawk Co. libraries need your help.

Books aren't free, but will be for kids and mailed to them each month. Black Hawk Co. libraries look to raise $75,000 before it can open and take registrations. They ask the public to make donations of any amount to help them meet this goal.

Reading at an early age has been shown to help a child's brain develop and grow. Kids learn easier and retain more information when they've become readers.

“The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.”
-National Commission on Reading

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library website has a Parent's Resource Page which explains the activities and benefits a child's development, and suggestions on how parents can help and interact with their children to show them the joy of reading.

In 2020, The Imagination Library gifted in 150 millionth book.

Donations can be made to the Cedar Falls Comunity Foundation. Click "Donate" near the top of the website to help wth any amount you choose.

Directors hope to raise the total by May, so they can start registering kids in June on 2022.