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CHESTER, W.Va. -- Lynn Murray Memorial Library has been selected at Hancock County's library to partner with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library this year for Read Across America.
More than 50,000 West Virginia children under the age of 5 are registered for Parton's program, which provides monthly free books to all registered children (birth to age 5) regardless of family income.
According to a spokeswoman from Lynn Murray Memorial Library, staff has scheduled activities throughout this week, including stories read from Dolly's collection and coordinating make and take crafts.
A Dolly Day event at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, with more stories, crafts, games and snacks as well as registration opportunities for anyone to add their children to the Imagination Library program.
Last year, Parton visited Charleston, West Virginia, to celebrate the expansion of the program into the state, and Gov. Jim Justice declared Aug. 9 as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Day.
In 2023, West Virginia is celebrating its Dolly Day with a statewide read-aloud of a popular book from her collection Wednesday in an effort to spread the love and benefits of reading.
Parton provides more than 2 million high quality, age appropriate books monthly through her Imagination Library.
Parents and guardians interested in registering their children can either do so at Saturday's event at Lynn Murray Memorial Library or online at http://www.imaginationlibrary.com. Children will begin receiving books at their home addresses between eight and 10 weeks after their forms are received.
Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for the Imagination Library with the first book distributed being "The Little Engine That Could."
Parton created the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 in her home county to increase educational success and decrease high school dropout rates. Seven years later, she launched the Imagination Library.
For information about Lynn Murray Memorial Library, call 304-387-1010. The library is located at 625 Railroad St. in Chester.