The wait is over for families with children from birth up to age five in both Ferry and Lincoln counties; the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book-gifting program is now available to register eligible kids thanks to the Columbia Basin Foundation. Already serving over 600 children in Moses Lake, Grant County, Columbia Basin Foundation has been an affiliate program for the Imagination Library since May 2021.

“The Columbia Basin Foundation is excited to partner with local businesses throughout Lincoln and Ferry counties to ensure that all kids have access to this valuable early literacy program,” stated the Foundation’s Scholarship Director and Community Engagement Coordinator, Kristen Elder.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails high quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to five years old, free to the family. By providing books every month at no cost to families, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading among families. Dolly’s inspiration behind creating the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home state of Tennessee can be attributed to her father and his inability to read. Inspiring kids to love to read became her mission and to-date, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted over 190 million books to children all over the world.

“Current affiliate, Columbia Basin Foundation rose to the occasion to take on additional territory to ensure more Washington early learners get to experience Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Ferry and Lincoln County children, your wait is over, and we are so thrilled and grateful to the Columbia Basin Foundation team for their extraordinary support to our children,” stated Imagination Library of Washington’s Executive Director, Brooke Fisher-Clark.

Families can register their children for the Imagination Library in Ferry & Lincoln Counties by visiting www.columbiabasinfoundation.org.

To date, over 38,000 Washington children are receiving free monthly books. Imagination Library of Washington’s statewide goal is to enroll 150,000 children by June of 2023, and achieving this milestone will uplift, inspire, and prepare children for success in school and beyond. To follow Imagination Library of Washington’s exciting expansion progress and to check program availability in your community, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.