Imagination Library launches in county

RBC I Moffat County Youth United Way, the teen component of Moffat County United Way; and Connections 4 Kids, the early childhood council serving Moffat and Rio Blanco counties; are proud to announce the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library locally.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program that offers high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5. The program is free to families in Moffat and Rio Blanco counties and limits registration only by age and residence, not socio-economic status or other factors. All children who register will receive a free book mailed to their home once a month through their fifth birthday.
Connections 4 Kids and Moffat County Youth United Way will host launch events during story time activities at local libraries in November. The launch events will include local storytellers reading books from the Imagination Library and are meant to introduce families to the program and sign up young children for the program at its inception in Northwest Colorado.
“We believe this program is an ideal way to promote early learning and provide families the resources necessary to develop a love of reading at an early age,” said Corrie Ponikvar, executive director of Moffat County United Way and chairwoman of Connections 4 Kids council. “We hope families in our communities will participate and receive these terrific books free in the mail.”
The local launch events are scheduled for:
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Rangely Regional Library, 109 E. Main St., Rangely
10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Meeker Public Library, 490 Main St., Meeker
Registration for the program will continue following the events at each of the libraries on an ongoing basis. Organizational staff and community volunteers will also host registration days at local preschools and parent groups in the coming weeks.
“We understand that literacy is essential for all learning. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps to develop a strong foundation for literacy and prepare children for school,” said Michelle Balleck, Connections 4 Kids coordinator. “We believe the more valuable reading materials we can put into children’s hands, the better chance we have of improving children’s literacy, and therefore, their ability to learn.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is made possible locally thanks to grant funding through Yampa Valley Community Foundation and the Colorado Department of Human Services.
For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Libraries in our communities, call Michelle Balleck at 824-8282, ext. 47, or email her at [email protected].