Imagination Library Coming to Washington County

Starting in January 2012, children residing in zip codes 32428 and 32462 will be eligible to receive free books in an effort to promote childhood literacy in Washington County. The program, sponsored by Education Initiative Corp. in Vernon, allows kids to receive one book per month from the time they are born until the reach kindergarten.

I Imagination Library was originally started by country music singer Dolly Parton in an effort to combat literacy problems in her hometown of Sevierville, Tenn. After the success of the program in Sevierville, she allowed the program to be replicated to any community willing to financially sponsor it for the designated community. Kohl Harrington, who started Education Initiative Corp. in Vernon, hopes the Imagination Library will help children develop a learn for reading and education before entering school.

Studies show that communities with the Imagination Library program see higher rates of graduation, higher test scores, and increased attendance of universities and colleges. Rollout events are scheduled for Wednesday January 4 at 2 p.m. at the Vernon Library and Thursday, January 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chipley Library. Children from ages birth to age 5 with addresses in zip codes 32462 and 32428 are invited to attend the rollout events to sign up for the program.

Education Initiative Corp. is currently raising funds to operate the program. It takes approximately $2 per month per child, or $24 a year per child to ensure that children in the community receive books free of charge. To donate or find out more information about the program, visit, www.imaginationlibraryfl.com. All donations are tax deducible under Education Initiative Corp.’s 501c3 Status.