Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has been sponsored locally by United Way of Siouxland for since 2001. The program allows children from birth to age five to receive a free age-appropriate book every month to their home mailbox.
United Way of Siouxland invests in this program because 1 in 3 local children do not have the early literacy skills they need when they enter kindergarten. Reading regularly with your child during their preschool years gives them the biggest boost toward a successful education they may ever get.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library helps more local families gain access to books to promote reading with their children. Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child's name directly to your home. He/she can look forward to new and exciting reading adventures until he/she turns five years old as long as you remain a resident of Siouxland.
Online registration is currently closed, but will re-open in the spring. United Way is currently hosting fundraisers to increase the number of local children who can participate in the program. It costs approximately $38 in local funding to sponsor one child for a year.
The Dolly Dash, Caddyshack Golf Scramble and other fundraising efforts by United Way help us to provide this program to local children.
To be notified of when the program opens to new children, please complete the following:
1. Visit the Imagination Library Check Availability page and enter your home zip code.
2. Click the New Program Alert button, and complete the form.
3. Watch your inbox. When registrations open in the spring/summer, you will receive an email notification that you may sign up your child. Openings fill up quickly.
Who is eligible?
Preschool children from birth to age five, who live within a 40 mile radius of Sioux City.
What are my responsibilities?
1. Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by parent or guardian
2. Notify United Way of Siouxland any time your address changes. Books are mailed to the address listed on the official registration form
3. Read with your child
When will I receive books?
Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home and will continue until your child turns five or you move out of Siouxland.
How can I help my child?
1. Find parent resources to help your child succeed on the Imagination Library Parent Resources page.
2. Visit 0-3 Prime Age to Engage - a Siouxland initiative to help parents and caregivers.
3. Join the Sioux City Public Library's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge! Many early-literacy programs including weekly story times are available through the public library.
Questions? Email United Way of Siouxland here.
Learn more at https://imaginationlibrary.com/
