Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

"Nearly 60% of Ohio children who show up to school are NOT ready to succeed in Kindergarten, and those who have not developed some basic literacy skills prior to entering school are 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out in later years." (Ohio Department of Education, 2016).

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a FREE program that provides age appropriate books each month to enrolled Ross County children from birth to age 5.  The program promotes improving childhood literacy rates and Kindergarten readiness.

Additionally, FREE, family friendly Imagination Library events are hosted throughout the year with our United Way of Ross County community partners.  Events are posted on the FaceBook page @UnitedWayRossCo and on the upcoming events tab of this website.  

"New research at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting shows that reading books with a child beginning in early infancy can boost vocabulary and reading skills four years later, before the start of elementary school." (Early Reading Matters: Long-term Impacts of Shared Bookreading with Infants and Toddlers on Language and Literacy Outcomes Abstract to be presented May 8, 2017 the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting.)
 
To register a child, click here or contact Kathy Murphy at the United Way office 740/773-3280.  It takes approximately 6-8 weeks after registration for the first book to arrive. 

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is funded by grants from Chillicothe Kiwanis, Chillicothe Rotary, Robert McKell Foundation and many generous donors throughout Ross County.  United Way of Ross County communinty project partners include the Ross County Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Steering Committee, Ohio University-Chillicothe Child Development Center, the Chillicothe Ross County Public Library, Adena Health System and Easter Seals Discovery Garden Playgroup.  The United Way's investment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is $45,000.