Children's books are giving more than literacy skills when they are delivered to homes across the Tamworth region each month. In fact, families across the Tamworth region believe there are stronger social connections being developed thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
The program, which is administered by United Way in Australia, delivers a high-quality book free each month to children aged between 0 and 5 in the Tamworth local government area and is calling for donations this end of financial year.
"We are so fortunate to have community groups, service clubs and businesses provide support for this critical literacy program. We know many groups and individuals make donations at this time of year and are asking people to consider the Imagination Library when selecting a charity," said Leo Krikmann, National Program Manager of the Imagination Library at United Way.
Tamworth Regional Council partnered with United Way in 2019 deliver the program, with the aim of improving the community's early childhood statistics and the growing number of developmentally vulnerable children. Since the literacy program launched in the region, more than 3,000 children have been signed up to receive the free books.
"One of the important differences with the Imagination Library is the parent resources which come with the books. These resources help parents to be able get more out of the reading experience with their child and have been shown to build strong family and social connections," said Mr Krikmann.
Country music superstar Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in her home state of Tennessee in 1995, with a vision to improve literacy outcomes for children. While the program has expanded across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Australia, it is not funded by the Dollywood foundation in Australia and Ireland.
"All money donated in the Tamworth region stays in the Tamworth region, and is giving local children a chance to thrive before they even start school. We are truly appreciative to anyone who can help support the Imagination Library this tax-time," concluded Mr Krikmann.
Tamworth Regional Council's Director Liveable Communities Gina Vereker said that Council is a proud partner of the Imagination Library program in Tamworth.
"The Imagination Library is a wonderful initiative which helps improve educational outcomes for children in our region. While Council is proud to continue supporting the program, it is important that the community also lend a hand through donations to ensure the program can continue its great work", she said.
Donations to the Tamworth Imagination Library can be made at https://unitedway.secure.force.com/DonateNow/DPILTamworth.
