Dolly Parton believes that, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” In support of this belief and in honor of her father who never learned how to read or write, she established Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), a program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income. Local support from foundations, and/or governmental agencies pay for the cost that is required for each book mailed.
The idea of getting books into the hands and homes of children is fundamental to not only DPIL, but is also the purpose and heart of children’s librarianship. We know that being in possession of a book is not enough; research on reading and early literacy has demonstrated the importance of adult intentional, interactive book sharing with a child. DPIL’s website and communications favor the mechanics of participant registration over adult caregiver support. Some DPIL editions include suggestions on using the book with a child. The extent to which these suggestions are implemented and the impact of that use has not been evaluated. Books for infants and toddlers do not include tips on booksharing at all. Once delivered, how are books shared with children?
Interactive, intentional and joyous booksharing are what we do! How can we help DPIL families use the books in ways to encourage a love of books and reading and support the development of early literacy skills? Given our shared values around the importance of books in the lives of children, what role could or should library staff play in the expansion and support of DPIL?
The extent to which library institutions and/or staff participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library varies from libraries whose foundations are the lead partner in bringing DPIL into a community to those which have no relationship at all with either promotion of books or local funders.
I have created a list of activities, real and imagined, that might take place in or outside of a library located in a DPIL community. Many items on this list are part of what library staff already does, making inclusion of DPIL books fit nicely into staff’s ongoing work:
- Meet with local fiscal sponsors of DPIL, asking them how staff might be able to help.
- Add stickers to spines of books to indicate they are part of DPIL.
- Highlight a DPIL “book of the month” on display for various age groups.
- Hold one storytime each month, for each age group, highlighting or at least including a book from DPIL.
- Take a special “Hello, Dolly” booth to promote DPIL at a community-wide event.
- Create a “button” on the library’s home and children’s pages directing patrons to the DPIL registration page.
- Switch up materials used for staff training and development to include DPIL books.
- Include DPIL books in all promotions and programs involving children’s books, such as
- Thematic collections (“Book Bundles”), early literacy kits and book reviews in local school or library produced newsletters.
- Make available printed registration forms and information on how to register online.
- Ask parents of young children when they register themselves or their children for library cards if they are already signed up for DPIL and if not, give them the needed information.
- Create bookmarks with DPIL titles on them.
- Add information to your library’s on-hold message stating that you are partners with your local DPIL sponsor.
- Create changeable early literacy stations using ideas inspired by a DPIL book.
- Use DPIL books for your storywalks.
- Create tip sheets on how to share DPIL books.
- Consider the possibility of encouraging your library foundation to be the lead partner to establish DPIL
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to demonstrate how easily support and promotion of this program fits into what we are doing already. Please, send me your ideas <pamelamartindiaz@gmail.com> or comment below with your ideas and practices on how to grow and support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I hope to compile them and eventually share them via https://www.ohreadytoread.org/
Today’s guest blogger is Pamela Martin-Diaz. Pamela is co-author of Early Literacy Storytimes@your library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success, ALA Editions, Chicago, IL 2006 and Storytimes for Everyone! Developing Young Children’s Language and Literacy, ALA Editions, 2013 and an early childhood literacy trainer who has incorporated many DPIL titles into her training.
She is currently working on a pilot project with a Head Start program to encourage and model use of DPIL books in the classroom, with families, and the community.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.