The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library was founded in 2019 after Ohio’s First Lady, Fran DeWine, was inspired by seeing her grandchildren benefit from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton’s program, started in 1995, began by serving children in her native Sevier County, Tennessee, but grew to a national level in 2000. The motivation came from the concept that literacy is one of the greatest predictors of a person’s ability to succeed as an adult.
“At its core the Imagination Library provides easy access to books for children in the community to read, which is the foundation of our ability to learn and grow a healthy community,” Mason Mayor Barbara Spaeth comments.
Children who are signed up for the program by their caregivers receive a free book in the mail every month until their fifth birthday. The selected books usually have messages that discuss different issues that are also fun for kids.
“It’s a full educational experience,” President and CEO of the Warren County Foundation, Tom Seddon, explains. “The books feature a variety of themes that start simpler and get more complicated, eventually including more words and dialogue as the child gets older.”
After gaining financial support from the Ohio General Assembly and affiliates across the state, the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library became a statewide program in November 2020.
The Warren County Imagination Library (WCIL) branch celebrates its second anniversary this year. The effort began by focusing on all segments of the community. By working with hospitals and birthing centers, childcare facilities, government entities, nonprofit organizations and area businesses they were able to quickly raise awareness within the community.
“The Imagination Library has been a wonderful gift to my family,” Adam Matthews, program advocate with Kiwanis tells us. “We do have books in the house, but having the Imagination Library provide a book that comes in the mail breaks us out of our routine and provides us with the gift of an experience.”
As of February 2022, WCIL is actively serving 7,185 children, or about 57 percent of kids aged 0-5 in Warren County. All five Warren County Library districts support the program, and when coupled with matching funds from the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, pay for the books that are mailed to children throughout Warren County.
Joy Strancar, a reading teacher at the Mason Early Childhood Center, is a big advocate of the program at Mason City Schools.
“A love of reading begins with family story time,“ Joy comments. “Having books sent directly to children at their home gets children excited to read, allows opportunities for oral language development, phonemic awareness and early concepts of print.”
Beyond its educational benefits, the experience also increases interaction between children and adult family members.
“Parents are always telling me about the excitement of their children waiting for their books to be received,” Tom tells us. “When the book arrives, the children will find someone to read it. That’s the best part.”
To sign up 0-4 year-old children to receive free books through the WCIL, visit OhioImaginationLibrary.org and hit the “Enroll Now” button on the website’s landing page. After signing up, children should expect their first book to arrive within 30-40 days. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Warren County Foundation by sending an email to info@warrencountyfoundation.org.
“Having books sent directly to children at their home gets children excited to read, allows opportunities for oral language development, phonemic awareness and early concepts of print.” –Joy Strancar, Mason City Schools