After months of collaboration, Ichabod Crane Central School District and the ICC PTA proudly helped United Way of the Greater Capital Region launch Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Columbia County for the first time ever.
The official launch took place at Ichabod Crane’s Primary School on September 24 during the district’s Open House for kindergarten and second-grade families. This program, an initiative of the Dollywood Foundation, provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income.
At the event, more than 60 Columbia County children were enrolled, and registration remains open to all county residents, regardless of school district, by visiting unitedwaygcr.org/dpil.
“We’re thrilled to have helped bring this incredible program to Columbia County,” Ichabod Crane Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. “Providing books to our youngest children is key to fostering confident and successful readers, and complements the early literacy programs we already have at Ichabod Crane.”
As a local program partner, United Way of the Greater Capital Region brought the Imagination Library to the Capital Region last spring and now offers the program in nine local counties. With over 7,200 Capital Region children currently enrolled, more than 16,000 books have been delivered since June, including 607 in Columbia County.
“The partnership to launch the Imagination Library across Columbia County wouldn’t be possible without the support of the administration and faculty at Ichabod Crane CSD and the PTA,” said Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. “Together we’re working to make sure every child in Columbia County gets off to the best start possible ready to thrive when they enter kindergarten.”
Ichabod Crane’s involvement in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a natural extension of the district’s dedication to promoting literacy among its youngest learners, well before they officially enter the school system.
“Children who are read to at home develop stronger vocabularies and deeper knowledge, helping them become successful readers,” said ICCSD Primary School Teacher Karen Seymourian. “Research shows that a baby’s brain is most active in the first three years, and being read to fosters important language and thinking skills, even before they grasp the meaning of words.”
The school district also works collaboratively with local public libraries, pre-kindergarten programs, as well as the Columbia County Early Learning and Literacy Network, to coordinate and improve literacy services to our families. Key initiatives include the district’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program and the Mobile Book Bus, both launched in recent years.
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages families to read 1,000 books to their newborns, infants and toddlers before they start kindergarten. Registered families can pick up their books at the Primary School. Last year, Ichabod launched the Book Mobile, where Primary School staff deliver books directly to families, increasing their access to these essential resources.