First lady champions Imagination Library Program in East Tenn.

DANDRIDGE (WATE) - Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam on Tuesday helped promote the Jefferson County Imagination Library's books-for-children program.

Haslam was joined by Theresa Carl, president of the Governor's Books from Birth Foundation, which is responsible for sustaining and growing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Tennessee.

At a luncheon at the Jefferson County Courthouse, the pair spoke with community stakeholders about the importance for families making time for reading with young children.

"The Imagination Library is one of the best programs we have to encourage early literacy in our state," Haslam said. "We need all Tennessee students reading on grade level by the end of the third grade to help ensure the bright futures they deserve, so it is important to encourage literacy beginning at birth."

Founded in 1996 as a gift to the children of her hometown of Sevierville, Parton's Imagination Library helps children develop a love for reading and learning from birth.

The statewide Imagination Library mails a new, age-appropriate, high-quality book every month to registered children, from birth until age five – at no cost to the family and regardless of income.

All 407,000 of the state's children under age five have access to the Imagination Library.

To date, over 15 million books have been delivered since the program began in October 2004.  

"Tennessee is fortunate to have the Imagination Library as a unique resource to prepare children for a bright future," Haslam said. "Children who participate in the program are better prepared for school and have better-developed skills in reading, speaking, thinking, and social skills. Reading—by itself—is not a magic key to change. It is what reading enables us to learn and to do that is critical."

The first lady has participated in other events throughout the state this summer to encourage participation in the Imagination Library program and her READ20 Family Book Club.

The book club initiative highlights the importance of reading and parental engagement by encouraging Tennessee families to read together for at least 20 minutes each day.