Legendary country music artist Dolly Parton is still stealing the hearts of Americans, but now it’s through her Imagination Library .
The Imagination Library provides children under the age of 5 a free book every month, beginning with The Little Engine That Could. Parton created the program as a tribute to her father who could not read.
Launched in 1995 by The Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library has made its way to Tazewell County. After Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker designated $1.6 million to the program statewide, Tazewell County libraries raised the remaining funds to bring the project to the area.
Director of the Morton Public Library, Alissa Williams, organized efforts to bring the Imagination Library to the area. She reached out to the other libraries in Tazewell County to join, and Pekin Public Library Director Jeff Brooks was one who answered the call.
“It was an opportunity to organize to bring this service, which really doesn’t have to involve libraries, a lot of counties and states, libraries aren’t involved at all,” Brooks said. “Somebody just needed to … pick up the ball and start organizing to raise funds to be able to bring Dolly Parton’s program to our county.”
The Tazewell County Freemasonry was the first to donate, followed by East Peoria Women’s Club, Friends of Fondulac Library, Kiwanis Club of East Peoria, Pekin Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club of Morton, Rotary Club of Pekin, Friends of the Pekin Library and Retired Teachers of Tazewell County.
The Morton Community Foundation has established a fund and donations can be sent to Morton Community Foundation ATTN: Imagination Library Fund, 135 S. First Avenue, in Morton. Donations from the community cover the costs of postage and ensure the program can continue.
Brooks also said Parton will visit Illinois if every county in the state establishes the program.
According to the Dollywood Foundation’s research, family and community members have had an overall positive experience with the Imagination Library program. The surveys also signaled improved reading levels and excitement in children when they receive a book.
“For me, it’s all about getting ready succeeding in kindergarten,” Brooks said. “There’s so many factors that get in the way of children being ready for kindergarten which then the school’s then have to make up the difference.”
Books are age-appropriate and chosen by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee that consists of a panel of early childhood literacy experts.
Parents or guardians can register their children online. Registration is free and it will take about 10 weeks for a child to receive their first book.