Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Isle of Wight citizens, we seek your partnership in promoting and supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) by educating others (neighbors, family, civic/church/social groups, social media members) as well as providing support for our local program.

The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home PRIOR to beginning school. A child’s literacy level significantly impacts a community by shaping its future workforce and overall well-being. 

The DPIL is available to all registered children from birth through age 4 with an Isle of Wight address! Each month, the children receive FREE age-appropriate books by mail. The program is funded in part by the state of Virginia, Smithfield Foods and our local community and is operated by The DeGood Foundation.

Registration can be done two ways by a parent/guardian:

1. Online.

• Go to imaginationlibrary.com (https://imaginationlibrary.com/).
• Click “CHECK AVAILABILITY” in the top right corner of the home screen.
• Follow through with requested name and address information. 

1. Mail-in.

• Pick up a DPIL registration form at one of the three Blackwater Libraries (Windsor, Carrollton, Smithfield branches). Information is provided on the form. The first book arrives in four to six weeks and is always the children’s classic “The Little Engine That Could,” Dolly Parton’s personal favorite.

Also, please consider joining The Book Club in which you can help fund our Isle of Wight DPIL for as little as $5 a month (this provides TWO FREE books)! 

• Visit degoodfoundation.com (https://www.degoodfoundation.org).
• Click “GET INVOLVED” in the upper right corner.
• Click “JOIN THE BOOK CLUB”.

Make a difference in early education in Isle of Wight by sharing the news of this amazing opportunity and becoming an Isle of Wight children’s literacy advocate and supporter! 

 

The Isle of Wight Dolly Parton Imagination Library Committee

Terry Andrews, Manager, Blackwater Regional Library (Smithfield)

Beth Butner, COP Food For Thought Literacy Coordinator

Kirstin Cook, DPIL Isle of Wight Chair

Linda Lytton, IsleREAD Program Coordinator