NAMBUCCA Valley Libraries have launched an Imagination Library, an initiative which delivers free quality books to children in the first five years of their life.

Babies born from 1 January 2022 are eligible to be enrolled in the program.

Parents will be provided with a registration form in hospital following the birth of their child.

They can also register their child online, or go to one of the Nambucca Valley Library branches to register.

The NSW Government has partnered with United Way Australia, a not-for-profit community impact organisation, to expand the Imagination Library in NSW.

The Imagination Library was initiated by Dolly Parton more than 20 years ago, and according to United Way Australia, more than 160 million books have been delivered to children in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The aim of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is for all children to have access to their own library from an early age, which will assist them in developing the essential emerging literacy skills they will rely on when learning to read and write.

Sue Hughes, Library Officer, Nambucca Valley Council Libraries, told News Of The Area that she thinks the Imagination Library is a wonderful concept.

“Children who love to read will find their school life much easier because they will be good readers.

“There is so much reading at school.

“It is all about the joy of reading, you cannot read a child too early,” said Ms Hughes.

Enrolment in the program takes place in the first few weeks of a baby’s life, and they continue to receive a book on a monthly basis until they turn five.

This means that they will have received up to 60 books by the time that they complete the program.

The Imagination Library program is set up so that the child will receive the first book approximately eight weeks after they have enrolled, and then monthly from then on.

Delivered to the child’s home by Australia Post, they can anticipate the arrival of their book at approximately the same time each month.

The package will be addressed in the child’s name, with the aim to create excitement for the child as the gift of a book to read and share with their family arrives.

Additional assistance is provided to families with an information sheet included inside each book which has been written by early childhood educators.

These sheets contain tips on how to engage with the book; for example providing before reading, while reading and after reading activities.

The initial program is funded by the NSW Government, and there are options for local sponsorship to support the growth and sustainability of the program.

Ms Hughes encourages all parents to join their child up to the library as soon as they can to help develop good reading habits for life.

Contact local coordinator Sue Hughes on 02 65686906 or email nheads.library@nambucca.nsw.gov.au.

For more information on Imagination Libraries visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/au/.

 

By Rachel MCGREGOR-ALLEN