Will County Launches Imagination Library to Boost Literacy NOW

UPDATE: Will County has officially launched its branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, delivering free books to children in the area. The announcement came during an event at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield on July 24, 2024, marking a critical step toward promoting literacy in the community.

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant emphasized the importance of early literacy, stating, “As a former educator and a mom, we know how critical it is to get books to children at a young age.” This initiative is expected to impact approximately 38,000 children in Will County, with over 1,200 children already enrolled in the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a national nonprofit that partners with local organizations to provide free, high-quality books to children each month. Families can enroll without needing to prove financial need, and the books are available in both English and bilingual English-Spanish versions. The program collaborates with Penguin-Random House to select age-appropriate titles through a Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee.

The state of Illinois, which became the 16th state to adopt the Imagination Library, allocated $150,000 to fund the program in the state budget, cutting costs for local partners from $32 per child per year to just $16. This funding support has led to the establishment of programs in 77 out of 102 counties in Illinois.

Fundraising efforts have exceeded expectations, with the Will County Center for Economic Development raising $199,000 to support the program. “Jennifer brought this to us as her own passion project,” said Doug Pryor, President and CEO of the Will County CED. “It’s been nothing short of inspiring seeing her energy and belief in this.”

During the launch event, local corporate sponsors, including representatives from the Rotary Club of Joliet and Amazon, underscored the significance of early childhood education. Major contributions included $50,000 from Jackson Generation, $30,000 from Amazon, and $25,000 from local businesses.

With the growing enrollment, the Imagination Library is poised to send even more books to children. Prior to the launch, the program was already mailing around 72,000 books monthly to children in Illinois, a number expected to surge as Will County fully implements its initiative.

“The excitement surrounding this program is palpable,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “We’re a large community, but it’s great to see everyone wrapping around our youngest children to support them.” The program aims not just to foster a love for reading, but also to strengthen the educational foundation for future generations.

The Imagination Library has distributed over 280 million books since its inception in 1995, serving children across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia. Research indicates that children exposed to reading from birth are significantly more prepared for school, with an 85 percent chance of mastering basic skills by age 11 compared to just 45 percent for those without early reading experiences.

As this program gains momentum, the community is encouraged to continue supporting fundraising efforts to ensure that Will County’s children have access to the resources they need to thrive. The Imagination Library not only promotes literacy but also strengthens family bonds through shared reading experiences.

Stay tuned for further updates on enrollment numbers and community support as Will County embarks on this transformative journey toward enhancing childhood literacy.