PITTSBURGH \u2014 The City of Pittsburgh and Reading Ready Pittsburgh announced the expansion of Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library (DPIL) Thursday at Phillips Recreation Center in Carrick. <\/p>\n
The expansion includes a new \u201cImagine Free Books for All Children\u201d campaign, aimed at enrolling 65% of eligible children in the city over the next five years. <\/p>\n
Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library sends an age-appropriate book to enrolled children every month from birth until their fifth birthday, allowing them to build a personal library of up to 60 books. <\/p>\n
The program aims to boost kindergarten readiness and foster a lifelong love of reading. There are currently 4,200 children enrolled in the program in Pittsburgh, representing roughly 30% of the 14,000 children under age 5 living in the city. The program is completely free for children and has no household income requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this program, we have the opportunity for every kid under age 5 in the City of Pittsburgh to get a free book in the mail every month, which is an investment in the future of our youngest residents,\u201d Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n
Access to books at home is among the strongest predictors of academic success, regardless of a family\u2019s income or parental education, city officials say. Studies conducted by the Dollywood Foundation indicate that after receiving just 10 books through the Imagination Library, children were at least four times more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills.<\/p>\n
The Benter Foundation has committed to investing $1.8 million over the next five years to support the program\u2019s expansion. Bill Benter of The Benter Foundation expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are pleased to support this invaluable program and believe that investing in early literacy is one of the most important things we can do for the future of Pittsburgh,\u201d Benter said. <\/p>\n
Major partners are seeking local funders, corporations and individual donors to double the funds already committed.<\/p>\n
Expanded outreach efforts will be led by Reading Ready Pittsburgh and the Mayor\u2019s Office of Community Affairs. These efforts will include a marketing campaign, community partnerships and canvassing to families with children under age 5. <\/p>\n
Dr. Mary Denison from Reading Ready Pittsburgh underscored the program\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery child in Pittsburgh deserves a bookshelf full of stories and the chance to grow up knowing the joy of reading,\u201d Dr. Denison said. \u201cThrough this expansion of DPIL, we\u2019re building a foundation for a lifetime of learning. We\u2019re proud to have the City of Pittsburgh and Mayor O\u2019Connor\u2019s partnership as we work to fulfill the mission of mailing books to all of Pittsburgh\u2019s young children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Families interested in enrolling their children can register online by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Enrollment materials will be available at CitiParks locations, including pools and recreation centers, at city-hosted events and through the Mayor\u2019s Office newsletter and social media channels. <\/p>\n Families can also register for the program at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations, where staff are available to assist with online and paper applications.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n