Imagining A World Of Literacy

By Nancy K. Crevier

When Rebecca Hall Morits’ father-in-law, Ralph McIntosh, a board member for the United Way of Western Connecticut, told her about the Imagination Library Program sponsored by the charity organization, in conjunction with the Dolly Parton Foundation, she and her husband Sean knew it was a program worth bringing to Newtown.

Newtown resident Rachel Torres-O’Leary, the early childhood coordinator for United Way of Western Connecticut, had established the first Imagination Library program in 2008, in Danbury. Other towns, including Newtown, saw how successful the program was and expressed interest in bringing the Imagination Library to their own communities, said Ms Torres-O’Leary.

“In 2010, we hosted a fundraising/awareness event at the Dana Holcombe House on Main Street in Newtown to introduce the idea here,” she said. She followed up that event by contacting C.H. Booth children’s librarian Alana Bennison and library director Janet Woycik, and enlisted their support.

Then, working with the Moritses and Caryn and Joe Golden of Newtown, Ms Torres-O’Leary saw to it that the literary program for preschoolers in western Connecticut got underway in town, last May. A kick-off event featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog and Sparkles the Clown drew parents and youngsters to the C.H. Booth Library that month, where they learned about the free book program.

“The goal of the program is to ensure that all children, from birth through age 4, in the region — regardless of their socioeconomic status — have access to quality reading materials, and to encourage parents and caregivers to read with their families,” said Ms Morits in an e-mail to The Bee. As the parents of a 5-year-old, the Moritses have seen the benefits of reading with their own child, said Ms Morits.

“I think it’s great,” said Ms Bennison. “There’s nothing more important than reading with a child on a consistent basis. We’ve always known that it’s good to read to preschoolers, but now studies are showing it is essential to their success later on,” she said.

Ms Bennison is excited that Imagination Library is getting books into the hands of children and parents that she may not see at the library. Receiving the free books introduces families to new books, authors, and illustrators, as well, she said, and she is enthused about the titles that have been chosen for the Imagination Library. “When you get that book into their hands, then they get excited, and then they may be inspired to come to the library. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Ms Bennison said.

“The great thing is, it’s free. People think that there’s got to be a downside, but there’s no catch,” she added.

Families who register with the Imagination Library receive an age-appropriate book, delivered to the child at the home address, once a month. Children will continue to receive a book a month until he or she reaches the age of 5, said Ms Morits, at no cost.

“These are high-quality books,” said parent Marcela Luci-Bernard, whose youngest son, Kristian, 4, has been enrolled in the Newtown Imagination Library Program since May. “It promotes more reading in the home. We do a lot of reading already, but to have a book come right to Kristian is very exciting to him,” she said.

That personal aspect is what convinced her to register her son, she said. “We were in the library one day and I heard some moms talking about the program. I thought, Why not do something where a book arrives in the mail just to him? He loves knowing it is just his,” said Ms Luci-Bernard.

The books are quite interesting, Ms Luci-Bernard said, and have ranged from classics to newer books written by authors with whom she is not familiar. “I was surprised, because I have two older children and we have read a lot of books by different authors,” she said.

Not only does Kristian read with his parents, but he looks at the books over and over again. “His 6-year-old brother reads the books to him, too, and so does my 12-year-old daughter,” she added.

Kristian is aware that a book comes for him every month now, Ms Luci-Bernard said, “and eagerly awaits that moment each month.”

The United Way of Western Connecticut registers participants, promotes the program, and pays for the books and postage, while the Dolly Parton Foundation is responsible for managing the system and delivering the books. The United Way of Western Connecticut also provides educational material for parents through its Born Learning Program.

“The program costs [United Way] very little, just about $30 a year per child,” Ms Morits said, “but creates a huge impact.”

A presurvey conducted of 82 Newtown parents with children enrolled in the Imagination Library showed that 98 percent of them read each day to their children. Forty-three percent visit the library with their child once or twice a week, and 35 percent visit once or twice each month.

Of those parents surveyed, 94 percent believe their child is very enthusiastic or enthusiastic about books and reading, and agree that participating in the Imagination Library program will help prepare their child for kindergarten.

One hundred percent of the parents reported that reading and books are very important to their child’s development.

When the program has been in place for a year, said Ms Torres-O’Leary, another survey will see how well participant’s early literacy abilities have improved, one of the goals of the Imagination Library.

Since introducing the program in May, 264 Newtown children have registered and are regularly receiving the free books each month.

“We want to continue to raise awareness, though, about Imagination Library,” Ms Morits said, “and encourage more families to participate.”

With the holidays approaching, Ms Morits said that the Imagination Library makes a perfect gift. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends can register a child to benefit from the program.

Or, suggested Ms Torres-O’Leary, a $30 donation to United Way of Western Connecticut can offset the cost of providing books for one year, to one child. “It’s a wonderful way to give back,” she said.

To sign up for the Imagination Library Program, visit the children’s department of the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, or find sign up information in the lobby of the Edmond Town Hall. Online registration is also available at www.uwwesternct.org, by selecting the Imagination Library link.