Monterey and Marin counties launched book gifting programs with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library this month, allowing thousands of children access to free books delivered directly to their homes.
Children up to 5 years old are eligible to receive one book every month with the program, which starts this June in Monterey and Marin counties.
On Thursday morning, Monterey County residents celebrated the initiative, which will support more than 34,000 children at the Orom Children’s Center in Salinas.
First 5 Monterey County, Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Initiative, Bright Futures Education Partnership and other community partners led the initiative for the county. Together, they aim to serve households facing resource barriers, including low-income households and English language learners, according to a news release from First 5 Monterey County.
Similarly, Marin County Free Library, First 5 Marin and Friends of the Marin County Free Library partnered up to launch the book program, according to a county news release. The county will hold a celebration kickoff for the initiative on July 1 at the Marin County Fair, where families can learn how to get involved.
“Marin County is now the 45th county in California to provide the program to all its youngest residents, making Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available to the more than 11,000 children under age five who call Marin County home,” said Hallie Anderson, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library community engagement coordinator.
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a global early literacy program designed to support children. The organization has gifted millions of books to families in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
