Published: July 24, 2008 08:09 am      

Imagination Library comes to Madison County

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides children with a free book each month until they turn 5, came to Madison County on Wednesday.

United Way of the Bluegrass, the local sponsor, opened the program during children’s morning story hour at the Madison County Public Library.

Moms, dads, boys and girls, along with some grandparents, cuddled up on blankets and cushions as Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson read “The Little Engine that Could,” Imagination Library’s first selection.

Participants were served apple juice and cookies and asked to enroll so they could start receiving their monthly books.

Registration forms are available at the library’s branches in Richmond and Berea, its bookmobile and online at uwbg.org.

The Imagination Library is open to children in Madison and the other eight counties served by United Way of the Bluegrass, said Ronda Webber, the organization’s director of community initiatives.

“Reading to your children when they are young is a great way to get them started on the right foot and get them ready for school,” said Kathy Plomin, president of United Way of the Bluegrass. “It will help children succeed academically in years to come.”

On their fifth birthday, children receive their last book from Imagination Library, “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”

Thanks to the Dolly Parton Foundation, a local contribution of $30 will provide a child 12 books a year, Webber said.

United Way of Madison County has budgeted $2,000 for the program’s first year, said its trustee chair, Dr. Jim Conneely.

“Our goal is to have 315 Madison County children enrolled,” he said.

“I congratulate Madison County for recognizing how important reading to young children,” Parton said in a news release.

The Country Music Hall of Fame member has an Oct. 25 concert scheduled for Eastern Kentucky University’s Brock Auditorium.

The concert primarily will benefit St. Mark Roman Catholic Church and School, but contributions also will go to the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute and the St. Anne Home for Mentally Challenged Women.

“I’m sure Dolly will be talking up her Imagination Library in Madison County when she is here,” said Father Jim Sichko, pastor of St. Mark, who attended Wednesday’s kickoff.

Only 400 tickets remain for Parton’s Richmond concert, he said. Tickets, $80 to $150, are available online at saintmarkcatholicchurch.net.

Imagination Library welcomes sponsors and St. Mark Parrish, which operates a school, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, plans to become a partner, Sichko said.

Sponsorhip forms can be obtained online by going to uwbg.org, then clicking on the Our Programs link and the Success By 6 link and the Imagination Library link. Details also can be obtained by calling 1-859-233-4460.

At the end of 2007, Imagination Library was available in 43 states, Canada and the United Kingdom, according to the singer’s Web site, dollyparton.com. It is available in every county of the singer’s home state of Tennessee.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.