Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding to Ventura County through a new partnership between the Ventura County Library Foundation, the Ventura County Library and community organizations.
The program will provide free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5, delivered monthly to homes across the county. Books will be available in English-only or bilingual English and Spanish editions.
Under the agreement announced this week, the Ventura County Library Foundation will manage the program locally and support fundraising efforts, while the Ventura County Library system will assist with child registration. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will make donations tax-deductible.
Program organizers said they are working to raise at least $100,000 in initial funding from individuals, businesses and institutions. Once the goal is met, families will be able to begin enrolling children in the program.
“We are currently working to raise at least $100,000 from individuals, companies, and other institutions across Ventura County,” said Kathleen Turner, program director of Imagination Library of Ventura County. “Once we demonstrate local support by achieving our initial fundraising target, we can begin registering children for the program.”
Turner added that the program will also receive matching funds from the state and support from the Dollywood Foundation.
Ventura County Library Director Nancy Schram said the program will help promote early literacy and a love of reading. “We’re hopeful that as many families as possible across our county will take advantage of this outstanding program,” Schram said.
First 5 Ventura County Executive Director Lauren Arzu said the program supports early childhood development and family engagement. “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a powerful opportunity to give every child in Ventura County a strong start,” Arzu said.
The Imagination Library, founded in 1995, has distributed more than 300 million books worldwide through partnerships with local organizations and the Dollywood Foundation. The program mails more than 3 million books monthly to children in participating communities. For more information, visit imaginationlibraryventura.com or contact the Ventura County Library Foundation at 805-677-7165 or info@vclibraryfoundation.org.
