Unlocking imaginations:Program sends free books to children

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Emma Grace Madewell, 3, gets the book “Goodnight Gorilla” from her mailbox with her sister Madisen, 2. The book is sent to children as part of the Imagination Library program. They are the daughters of Chris and Christie Madewell. (James Clark photo)

When Christie Madewell sees a book in her mailbox, she knows she’s in for some reading.

“We read them about 14 times a day when they first get here,” said Madewell, whose two daughters are enrolled in the Imagination Library program. “They’re good, sturdy books and they’re age appropriate.”

The Imagination Library program, sponsored locally by the Southern Standard, sounds like a sales gimmick that’s too good to be true. Children under 5 who are registered for the program receive a free book each month that’s delivered to their home by mail.

Any child under 5 is eligible for Imagination Library, regardless of their parents’ income. The only requirement is they are a Warren County resident.

Last month, 967 books were sent to Warren County children. This month, the Standard is celebrating its one-year anniversary of sponsoring the program.

“Imagination Library is so positive,” said Standard executive editor Patricia Zechman. “The ability to read, and read well, will not only help children in school, it will help them throughout life. It’s important to start that interest in reading early so it will hopefully last a lifetime.”

Dolly Parton launched the literacy program in her hometown of Sevier County in 1996. Now roughly a dozen Tennessee counties participate in the program which has spread to 36 states. Imagination Library distributed more than 1.2 million books in 2004.

“It’s a really good program because the kids get excited about getting mail, and they get excited about getting a book,” said Regina Templeton, whose son, Joshua, is enrolled in the program. “It’s two good things in one.”

In addition to getting books read to him by his parents, Joshua’s older sister, Jessica, is 9 years old and to the point where she can read to him.

“That works out well for all of us because it helps her with her reading,” said Regina.

The Governor’s Books from Birth program pays for half of the local funding while the Tennessee Press Association pays for the other half.

How to register
Signing up for Imagination Library is simple. All it takes is a trip to the Standard office to fill out a short form. It takes about two minutes.