Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Comes to New York City

The Imagination Library, founded by Dolly Parton, is a free service that sends out a book a month to children from birth to 5 years old. Operating in communities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., it is now available to residents of New York City.


The NYC Department of Education has partnered with the Imagination Library to bring this service to the city's children. Anyone who lives in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, or the Bronx is eligible to receive free books through the program. Once a month, registered kids will receive a free, age-appropriate, expert-selected book until they reach the age of 5.


I had heard about the Imagination Library when my daughter was a newborn, but was disappointed to find out that they weren't operating in my city. So as soon as I heard about that it was now in NYC, I immediately signed up! I think it's a great way to encourage children to read. It is especially a great service to families who are unable to afford to buy their children books. Reading to your child at a young age has been proven to immensely benefit them throughout their school years. It also encourages learning and imagination, and is a great way to bond with your child.


To sign up for the Imagination Library, go here. You will use your child's name and birth date (your child must be under 5 years old) as well as enter your shipping information. You can sign up for each of your children if you have more than one, and each will receive his or her own book. A few days later you will receive an email confirming your account's creation and will be provided with a password to access your account. Your child will receive his or her first book in about 6-8 weeks and up to 3 months from the day your account is created. You will be given a password to login to your Imagination Library Account and from there you can manage your contact information.


Dolly's Imagination Library accepts donations. Go here to make a donation or purchase merchandise.


For more information about the program, you can contact them by:


Email: nycimaginationlibrary.schools.nyc.gov

Phone: 718-642-5791

Fax: 718-642-5876


References

Dolly's Imagination Library


NYC Imagination Library