Cindy Emerson, Elizabeth Stenger and Patti Fuchs. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The Indian River County Library system has joined libraries around the world as an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, which now mails more than 2 million free books each month to children up to age 5, regardless of family income.

Locally, the book-gifting program launched at the IRC Main Library during a morning filled with dance, songs, visits with Moonshot the Puppet and, most importantly, story time.

Enrollment pamphlets are available at the North County Library and the Brackett Library, and people can also register online. Once parents sign their children up, including their names, address and birthdays, each child will receive one free book per month delivered to them at home.

“The reason we wanted to do this is because we wanted to reach those children whose parents aren’t bringing them to the library. This gets the books in the home and gets them the early literacy and the kindergarten readiness that is needed,” said Elizabeth Stenger, director of library services.

“The books are addressed to the children, so there’s a nice little excitement every month when they get their book,” she added.

“This is a program that’s been very dear to my heart. I’ve been wanting to bring it here for a long time,” said Patti Fuchs, youth services coordinator, crediting Stenger with making it happen.

While the books are free for the children, there is a cost to the library of $2.20 per book.

“Because even though Dolly pays for a lot of this program – it wouldn’t happen without her, and they organize it – it does still cost us. So individual communities can’t get involved until they have the money to get involved,” said Fuchs.

The library has included the estimated $15,000 for this first year in its budget, and Stenger said Sunrise Rotary is on board to help with the second year. “The Friends of the Library will help as well, so it’s a lot of people making it happen,” said Stenger.

Moving forward, the cost will increase exponentially as more children are entered into the program so they will need to augment with grants and donations.

“At the fifth-year mark it levels off, because then you have kids aging out of the program. The first year is projected to be around $15,000. The fifth year could be projected to be $95,000. So we’re really looking for groups to donate and help us out,” said Fuchs.

Dolly’s organization manages the database, their experts chose the age-appropriate books that will be mailed each year (including two Spanish/English bilingual titles per age group/per year), and they take care of sending the books to each child.

“If you want to ruin the surprise, there’s a list of books that you can see on their website,” said Fuchs. “They’re a really, really great organization.”

She advised that after signing up, it may take up to two months before the first book arrives, but after that it’s monthly.

“The more kids we can get signed up in Indian River County the better. The point is to get books in the home,” said Fuchs.

For more information, visit IndianRiver.gov/libraries or ImaginationLibrary.com, or call Patty Fuchs at 772-400-6318.