Botetourt County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt, is thrilled to announce an innovative partnership to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to our youngest residents. The Imagination Library is focused on improving early childhood literacy and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore the world of imagination through the magic of books. The school division is taking an active role in promoting preschool reading skills, which form a critical foundation for future academic success and lifelong learning.
This partnership between Botetourt County Public Schools, the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt, and local businesses underscores the significance of community collaboration in driving positive change. By prioritizing early childhood literacy and making books an integral part of children’s lives, this partnership is poised to create a lasting impact on the educational journey of Botetourt County’s youngest learners.
The local Kiwanis club is a community service organization that has sponsored children literacy programs, such as free dictionaries for elementary students, for more than 20 years. As an official Program Partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the club is passionate about bringing this program to our community. This latest initiative intends to better prepare children for school, so the partnership with Botetourt County Public Schools presents many synergies. Studies in other counties who have adopted the Imagination Library have shown favorable returns for investing in this age group.
An early goal of this team is to register as many eligible children as possible who may benefit the most from the Imagination Library. This renowned program, founded by the legendary country singer Dolly Parton, focuses on sending free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, encouraging early literacy and parent-child bonding through reading. By receiving a new book every month, children enrolled in the program are exposed to a variety of stories and ideas, fueling their imaginations, and laying the groundwork for future academic success.
“The power of books to shape young minds is immeasurable. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a gateway to a world of learning, creativity, and discovery for our youngest learners,” said Dr. Jonathan Russ, Superintendent of Botetourt County Public Schools. “Partnering with the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt and the Imagination Library program allows us to extend our commitment to education beyond the classroom and into the hearts and homes of our community members.”
~ Botetourt County Public Schools
