The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a literacy program for children zero to five years old, has arrived in Moose Jaw thanks to the efforts of the Moose Jaw Literacy Network and many contributing partners.
The program was announced last year by Christine Boyczuk, co-ordinator for the Moose Jaw Literacy Network (MJLN). Boyczuk had hoped to have things up and running by August 2022. Despite some delay, registration began in January 2023 with 60 children initially signed up.
Fundraising and organizing efforts have been supported by Wanda Peakman at the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre (EYFRC), which is hosting the program, and by the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce.
Donors supporting the program include the Moose Jaw Optimist Club, Rotary Club of Wakamow, the Family Resource Centre, Kids First, Moose Jaw Public Library, Moose Jaw Events Centre, and many generous private donations.
Each child enrolled in the program receives a high-quality book every month, selected by a panel of early childhood literacy experts.
A child enrolled in the program at birth and benefiting from the full five years of the Imagination Library would have a collection of 60 books at their fifth birthday. Parton set up the Imagination Library in honour of her father — an intelligent and hard-working man who was nevertheless illiterate. The goal of the library is to instill a permanent love of reading, learning, and education.
"The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is hugely popular with parents and caregivers,” Boyczuk noted in an email to the Moose Jaw Express. “The child receives a free quality book in the mail every month that provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers to cuddle up and share stories with their little ones.
“Exposure to books from a young age can help encourage a love of reading that will last a lifetime.”
The cost of the books is heavily discounted: $3.55 per child per month, or $215 for the five years. Boyczuk said that as financial support continues to grow, the Literacy Network hopes to enroll up to 300 children.
Donations are invited by contacting the Moose Jaw Literacy Network at mjliteracy@yahoo.ca.
Learn more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com/ca.
