Stretching the Imagination
In its first year as part of of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Santa Clara County Library District mailed over 178,000 books to the homes of local kids ages 0-5 through the late entertainer’s initiative, making it the largest program in California with the most children enrolled.
The district’s program has 23,300 children, or 25% of those eligible, enrolled. The goal is to enroll every eligible child throughout Santa Clara County to receive free books. Once a child is enrolled, a free English or bilingual Spanish language title (as determined by the parents/caregivers) is mailed to them once a month until the child turns 5 years old.
“The ongoing impact of this important program is a testament to the legacy of Dolly Parton,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks in a release. “The Imagination Library will help inspire generations of kids to develop a lifelong love of reading.”
Tax-deductible donations to support the Santa Clara County Imagination Library are welcome. With the state match, a donation of $15.50 provides one child with a full year of Imagination Library books, and a donation of $155 provides 10 children with books for a year. For more information, visit sccld.org/imaginationlibrary.
Crime prevention grants
Through its Storefront Crime Prevention Grant Program, the City of Milpitas is offering up to $4,000 to eligible small businesses for the installation of shatterproof window film. This investment helps deter smash-and-grabs, vandalism and retail theft.
Eligible businesses must be located in Milpitas, have 25 or fewer employees, operate from a physical storefront with windows, hold a valid business license and have no code violations.
Details and application information can be found at milpitas.info/milpitas-storefront-security.