Cleveland County Partnership for Children

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

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What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL)?

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In 1995, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The initial adventure began to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee, USA. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Dolly also wanted to ensure that every child would have books to read, regardless of their family’s income. 

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How is this program possible for children in Cleveland County, NC?

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One of our goals here at the Cleveland County Partnership for Children is to ensure that families with children ages birth to five years of age are fully equipped with the developmental tools and resources needed to promote the importance of early literacy. In order to do that we use Smart Start and other sources of private funding to make the Dolly Parton Imagination Library available to our families. Our hope is to always support parents as they shape and mold tomorrows most successful and productive citizens. 

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Who is eligible?

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Children ages birth to five that reside in Cleveland County.

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How do I sign my child up to receive free books each month?

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Click the Dolly Parton Imagination Library image on this page and fill out the online registration form or contact Penny Reller at 704-730-7666. Please know, this form must be completely filled out by the parent or guardian, approved, and on file with Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Inc. in order for your child to start receiving free books in the mail. 

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Important things to remember! 

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• Notify Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Inc. any time your address changes. 

• Books are mailed to the address listed on the official registration form.

• If the child's address changes, you must contact the Partnership at 704-730-7666 in order to continue receiving books. 

• Read with your child, daily. :)

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After I have registered, when will my child start receiving books?

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Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received and approved, books will begin arriving at your home and will continue until your child turns five or you move out of Cleveland County. 

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Do you know a preschool child who is not receiving books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library? 

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If so, share this page with their parents and encourage them to fill out the online registration form. Telling them about this FREE program can make a huge difference in their child's future and the future of our community. 

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How can I help keep this amazing reading adventure possible for the children of Cleveland County? 

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If you know of a business, organization or individual who would like to donate funds to support this gift to your children, donations can be sent to:

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Cleveland County Partnership for Children, Inc.
1205 Northside Drive

Shelby, NC 28150

It sounds almost too simple to be true, but by reading regularly with your children during their preschool years, you are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will ever get.

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