Every child deserves to own their own books.
This is the idea behind Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Canada. The Imagination Library is a free book-gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in young children. Enrolled children receive monthly, a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge.
When resident Yvonne Quiroz Ambriz moved from Carstairs to Airdrie in September, she was surprised to learn that there was no Imagination Library in this community.
“For me, this is personal as well as community-driven,” she says.
“I’ve always read to my children every night since they were babies. Those moments of connection — curiosity, laughter, calm at the end of the day — are so special. Books open doors for children to build language and brain development, strengthen memory, focus, and problem-solving. They foster empathy, creativity, and imagination as well as deepen family bonds. The busy lives we lead mean that quality time with our children sometimes gets lost. Reading to your child before bed every night can centre you (and your child) even for a short moment.”
The Dollywood Foundation funds and provides the infrastructure of the Imagination Library program including coordinating book selections, negotiating wholesale purchasing, mass printing, and managing a secure centralized book ordering system. The foundation incurs the cost of the program’s administrative/overhead expenses and coordinates the fulfillment of monthly book mailing.
“Airdrie is aiming to enrol 500 children in the next 12 months,” says Quiroz Ambriz.
“That’s just $1,925 per month to make sure local kids grow up surrounded by books.”
Local program partners, like Quiroz Ambriz, promote the program, find and enroll children, secure funding and pays a small community portion per child per month. Community-raised funds go 100 percent to serving children in their community.
“We’re looking for businesses and individuals to become sponsors — monthly or one-time gifts both make a big difference. Every dollar stays right here in Airdrie,” says Quiroz Ambriz.
Registered children received specially selected book personalized with the child’s name on a label, mailed directly to their home every month until their fifth birthday, at no cost to the child’s family.
“I wanted to bring this initiative to Airdrie not only to support my own family, but to help create that joy and opportunity for every child here,” adds Quiroz Ambriz.
“The fact that the books are free means every family, regardless of circumstance, can share in that excitement when a new book arrives each month. With the community’s support, we hope to enrol our first children as soon as possible and eventually reach every eligible child in Airdrie.”
For more information on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Canada or to donate to help start the program in Airdrie, visit donate.imaginationlibrary.com.
