Our Program
Dolly Parton met with Barbara Davis (left) of the Sarasota County Library System and members of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County during her visit to Sarasota on October 16, 2011. They presented her with a copy of The Little Engine That Could (From the book THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD (The Complete, Original Edition) by Watty Piper, Illustrated by George & Doris Hauman, Penguin Group (USA) Inc. The Little Engine That Could, I Think I Can and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.), signed by appreciative Sarasota Imagination Library parents.
Help Sarasota County children learn and thrive with free books!
Registration and Eligibility
Children from birth to five years of age who live in these Sarasota County zip codes are eligible to be registered: 34223, 34231, 34232, 34233, 34234, 34235, 34237, 34272, 34275, 34286, 34287 and 34293.
Register online or at any Sarasota County library.
Donations
Please help our program grow to reach more children across Sarasota County. Your gift of $24 provides 12 books a year to one child. All donations are most welcome. You may donate with a check made out to The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and mailed to: Sarasota County Library System, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236.
Program History
Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1996 in Sevier County, Tennessee where she grew up to foster a love of reading among the young families there. Through her Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library has been replicated to benefit children throughout the world. Over 700,000 preschoolers are currently enrolled in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.
The Sarasota County Imagination Library began in 2008. It is funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through their LEAF (Literacy Empowers All Families) grant. The Sarasota County Library System and the LEAF community agency partners promote the program and enroll children.
Around 2,500 Sarasota County children receive their free Imagination Library books in the mail each month.
For great tips and activities to help your preschool children learn, please also visit LEAF at http://www.growingmindsread.org/.
Our Partners
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Friends of the Venice Public Library
Children First
Early Learning Coalition
Early Steps
Family Nutrition Program
Healthy Families
Healthy Start
Sarasota County Health Dept.
For further information, please contact Barbara Davis at (941) 861-2525 or at bdavis@scgov.net