Supporting Early Literacy

Early literacy is so important, especially now. The pandemic is widening resource gaps as families deal with the unanticipated economic and social impacts. The long-term impact will disproportionately affect those already most vulnerable. Millions of children have limited or no access to text. Some of the most critical years of a child’s life are during early childhood; early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and in life.
Research has shown that children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library increased kindergarten readiness by 28.9%, and have been linked to significantly stronger reading skills from kindergarten to 3rd grade, an entire four years after participating.

If you would like to enroll your child/ren into the program, click HERE. 

Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides age-appropriate books for children from birth to age 5.  Each book costs approximately $2.50.  This program is at no cost to the families and is funded by United Way of Junction City/Geary County and local literacy champions.  If you or your business would like to be a local champion, don't hesitate to get in touch with the office at 785-238-2117.  Online donations can be made here.

United Way of Junction City-Geary County provides the funding to cover the cost of the books each month.  This has an average monthly cost of $1,000.

574 children are currently enrolled

31,567 books mailed out

534 children have graduated from the program

Thank you to our Literacy Champions!