By: Cazzy Lewchuk, Staff Writer
Dolly Parton, a globally beloved celebrity, has passed away. One of the most iconic and successful musicians of all time, she was also acclaimed for her charity work, particularly the Imagination Library. Parton’s non-profit acts on the basis that encouraging young children to develop an interest in reading represents an important way to create success, both at an individual and societal level. The benefits of literacy programs are lifelong, and impact entire communities, which is why supporting local initiatives similar to the Imagination Library is crucial.
In 1995, Parton started her book gifting program in honour of her father, who never got to learn how to read. Once a month, the initiative sends a free book in the mail to every child enrolled. A child must be aged 0 to 5 to participate. Parton’s Imagination Library began in her own home area of Sevier County, Tennessee, and has now expanded to five countries. Three decades later, more than 300 million books have been delivered, including over five million in the North of Turtle Island (Canada).
The charity ensures each book sent is age-appropriate, so infants receive mostly picture books, and so on. The US program features a bilingual option, with each book written fully in English and Spanish. According to AP News, about 13% of families in the US speak Spanish at home. In some areas, it is the most common language. Children that speak a language other than English at home are more likely to fall behind in school, which is why multilingual literacy programs matter so much.
Like the US, the North of Turtle Island holds an incredible linguistic diversity. Statistics Canada found that BC is the Canadian province with the most residents that primarily speak a language other than English or French at home. To truly practice inclusivity, libraries and book donation organizations in BC should consider the provincial demographics and offer books in multiple languages like Punjabi, Cantonese, and Mandarin
The benefits of early childhood literacy go beyond child development. They extend to someone’s entire life.
The benefits of early childhood literacy go beyond child development. They extend to someone’s entire life. As adults, literacy skills are linked with better economic, and even health outcomes. When children and adults improve their literacy, they are able to fully understand, participate, and contribute to the society around them.
Access to books greatly helps adults, particularly if the caregiver has low literacy skills themselves. In the North of Turtle Island, 19% of adults between 25 and 65 years old scored in the two lowest literacy levels of a governmental report. Parents who read with their children develop and improve their own literacy proficiency, not just their kids. It also helps to build connection, empathy, diverse perspectives, and relaxation for both the adult and child. Reading together strengthens the relationship between them.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that the North of Turtle Island has higher literacy rates than the international average, but there are still major gaps. In our country, almost 1 in 5 adults rank in the lowest literacy levels. The latter statistic means an inability to fully read and comprehend texts (like a newspaper or prescription instructions). Poor literacy rates negatively affect education, employment, income, productivity, and civic engagement.
Budget cuts over the past year put at risk the continuity of the Imagination Library’s operations in certain American states. The program is available in some parts of Metro Vancouver, but multiple organizations in the area like Books for Me! and LiteracyNow Burnaby also possess similar charitable objectives. While learning about the Imagination Library is exciting, it remains important to bring attention and support other charities close to us as well.
Let’s honour Dolly Parton’s life by helping each other. Donate books, offer free tutoring to people in need, and give money to local organizations that promote literacy. As the country singer once said, “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
