(MANSFIELD, Ohio)—Today, Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero announced Richland Public Health (RPH), Richland County Youth a Family Council (RCY&FC), and Community Health Access Project (CHAP) as the new local programming partnership for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Richland County. Through this collaboration, these organizations will work together to bring awareness to the program, enroll children, and build a coalition of community support.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio mails one age-appropriate book to children each month at no cost to families. Any child in Ohio between birth and age five can sign up. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and learning by gifting books, free of charge to families.
Currently, only 4,459 (66%) of Richland County’s eligible children (birth to age five) are registered in the program. RPH, RCY&FC, and CHAP are determined to achieve 100% enrollment over the next year. “We are thrilled to spearhead this initiative and provide the children of Richland County the opportunity to read, learn, and grow with their families. Extensive studies have shown that reading with young children is important for kindergarten readiness and improves health literacy” Dr. Julie Chaya, Health Commissioner, stated.
Each book is $2.20 for each child every month. The total cost of Richland County’s current Imagination Library program is $117,717.60 each year. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio pays for 50% of program costs. This means that the remaining 50% of programming costs ($58,858.80 each year) is the responsibility of donors and sponsors in the Richland County community. To ensure that the Imagination Library program runs smoothly in Richland County in 2024, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio will cover 100% of the costs during the first 6 months of the initiative. During the remaining 6 months of the year, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio will cover 50% of costs and RPH and RCY&FC will take care of the remaining 50%. “Although our organizations have made this investment to guarantee programming this year, we are in need of local sponsors, donors, and volunteers to keep the Richland County Imagination Library alive and thriving in 2025” said Dr. Chaya. Organizations or individuals who wish to support Richland County’s Imagination Library can reach out to 419-774-4761 or chps@richlandhealth.org to learn more about the local Coalition and sponsorship/donor opportunities.
To learn more or to enroll a child between the ages of 0-5 in Richland County’s Imagination Library, please visit: richlandhealth.org/imagination-library.