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 has been linked to significantly stronger reading skills from kindergarten to 3rd grade, an entire four years after participating.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides age-appropriate books for children 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, please contact 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 cost of 4700 each month.

576 children are currently enrolled

29,276 books mailed out

2,161 children served

488 children have graduated from the program

Thank you to our Literacy Champions!