MENDOCINO CO., 12/20/24 — Early childhood literacy is thriving in Mendocino County, thanks to the dedicated efforts of First 5 Mendocino’s Raise & Shine Family Resource Center. The center, based in Ukiah, is partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide free books to children from birth to age five in Mendocino County.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, country music star Dolly Parton began her Imagination Library under her nonprofit, the Dollywood Foundation. Her goal was to support early childhood literacy in her home state of Tennessee; the program has now expanded to elsewhere in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland.
First 5 Mendocino’s executive director Townley Saye explained, “We teamed up with the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as an affiliate to sponsor this program for Mendocino County in 2010. Funds ran out in 2019, and then Covid happened. When Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1183 in 2022, we now had consistent funding. We officially relaunched in 2023. Affiliates pay a portion of the cost for each book and its delivery to each child’s home, which costs $2.50 per book. Newsom’s legislation sponsors $1.25 for the cost of each book.”
Saye said that Newsom personally worked with Parton to make sure books were bilingual in Spanish and English. First 5 Mendocino has help from organizations such as the Rotary Club, other nonprofits, and Soroptimist clubs. “Affiliates are responsible for raising funds to cover these costs for the children enrolled in their designated service area,” Saye explained.
To keep the costs low for affiliates, the Dollywood Foundation covers administrative expenses, including program management, book selection, and contracts with publishers. The Foundation works closely with early childhood experts to choose age-appropriate books that are engaging and culturally relevant.
“What I love about this program,” said Saye, “is that the books come addressed to the child in their name. As the child learns to recognize the letters and their name, the child eventually gains agency and ownership of their book. What better way to foster a love of reading? The Dolly Parton Foundation sources all the books and provides an online internet sign-up portal where the child’s name and address are registered to receive the books each month as soon as a child is born. The process is easy, and there is no cost to sign up to get these books. You can sign your baby up as soon as they are born at https://imaginationlibrary.com
SB-1183 The California State Library: Statewide Imagination Library Program, authored by Senator Shannon Grove, expanded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs to 30 counties in California with the goal of bringing it to all California counties by 2028.
In a June 2023 press release announcing the statewide program, Newsom said, “Dolly Parton unites us through her music — and through her commitment to helping all kids develop a love for reading. With this statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, California is on track to put more free books in children’s hands than any other state in the nation — broadening millions of young minds to a world of unlimited possibilities.”
California is the first state to provide a bilingual option where children and their families can select to receive bilingual books in both English and Spanish. When California’s statewide expansion is complete, it will be the largest Imagination Library program in the nation.
Saye added, “We are now engaging with more school districts in Mendocino County. Research shows that third grade reading rates improve by starting with early learning literacy. The Imagination Library would be a great investment if more school districts chose to support the program. Currently, Fort Bragg Unified School District is onboard for every child between the ages of 0-5 who live within the district boundary zip codes, which includes Fort Bragg, Cleone, and Casper.”
Early childhood literacy and reading are critical foundations for lifelong learning and development. Research has shown that during the early years, children develop essential language and cognitive skills that enable them to understand and communicate effectively. Introducing children to books, stories, and literacy activities fosters their curiosity, vocabulary, and comprehension abilities. Reading with young children also strengthens emotional bonds and encourages a love for learning.
First 5 Mendocino provides resources and support to ensure that young children across the county have access to early learning opportunities, healthcare, and nurturing environments that prepare them for success in school and life. The nonprofit’s multidisciplinary research shows that the first five years of a child’s development are crucial to determining a child’s wellness, health outcomes, and even lifespan. This brief developmental period will determine their ability to cope with stress, focus their attention, regulate their emotions, plan for the future and have empathy for others.
For more information about First 5 Mendocino call (707) 462-4453 or to make a donation to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Mendocino County, email Townley Saye townley@first5mendo.org.