Lorain County Imagination Library
Fostering a love of reading
Dolly Parton believes if you can read, you can do anything, dream anything, and be anything. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home of Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, the program spans five countries and gifts over 1.9 million free books each month to children worldwide, including over 10,000 children right here in Lorain County. Thanks to Imagination Library, all children from birth to age 5 can have books to read, regardless of the environment in which they live.
Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children and encourages kindergarten readiness, literacy, and emotional development. Additionally, children develop a special bond with their parents and other caregivers by reading together.
10,600+
Lorain County children currently registered
11,000+
children have graduated from LCIL
How LCIL Works
Lorain County children can receive a free book, delivered right to their home, every month until age 5.
The age-appropriate books are hand-selected and mailed by a team at the Dollywood Foundation. The books are paid for through a partnership with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, Lorain County Imagination Library Coalition, and many local donors and foundations.
Lorain County Imagination Library Advisory Coalition
In 2015, United Way of Greater Lorain County’s Ready Set Go to Kindergarten community collaborative brought the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Lorain County to strengthen parental involvement towards kindergarten readiness and child literacy in the City of Elyria. In 2017, The Stocker Foundation saw a need to expand the program throughout the entire county, and the Lorain County Imagination Library (LCIL) was launched. Under their leadership, LCIL has grown exponentially, reaching more than 50% of eligible children in the county.
Today, four organizations have partnered together to get books into the hands and hearts of Lorain County children. Community Foundation of Lorain County serves as the primary and fiscal agency and is involved in all aspects of growing this program, including fundraising, marketing, and advocacy. The Stocker Foundation oversees registrations and enrollments, while United Way of Greater Lorain County facilitates connections with kindergarten-readiness cooperatives. Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library provides a high level of financial support for the program. Lastly, and most importantly, a team of community volunteers works to grow and strengthen this worthwhile program.
Questions about Lorain County Imagination Library?
Empowering Lorain County children
The investment in early literacy translates into successful, productive teens and adults.
- When a young child enters kindergarten ready for school, there is an 82% chance that the child will master basic skills by age 11, compared to 45% for those who are not school ready
- At-risk children who do not receive high-quality early childhood experiences are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 40% more likely to become a teen parent, and 60% less likely to attend college
Support Childhood Literacy
Lorain County Imagination Library enables every child to build a library of their very own. A $25 donation provides books to one child for an entire year. With your support, LCIL can grow to provide books to 100% of Lorain County children.
Lorain County Imagination Library Coalition is always in need of volunteers to spread the word about this worthwhile program. If you want to become involved or distribute promotional materials at your clinic, daycare, library, or other child-focused offices, please contact the Community Foundation of Lorain County at 440.984.7390.
