CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (Feb. 25, 2022) — The Clermont County Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library continues to reach more children. In January 2022, enrollment topped 5,500. And a push is on to engage more. 

United Way’s Eastern Area office, the Clermont County Public Library, the Dollywood Foundation and the Ohio governor’s office teamed up to launch the Clermont County Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library in July 2020. The program — an extension of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which started in 1995 — provides a free age-appropriate book each month to children up to age 5. 

Kindergarten readiness has long been a United Way priority because it is strongly linked to success in later school years and beyond. The Imagination Library recognizes that parents and caregivers are children’s first teachers. The program not only promotes early literacy and kindergarten readiness, it also encourages parent-child interaction. 

Since the program began in Clermont County, 8,034 children have participated, and 16,434 books have been mailed to families.

Officials with the Clermont County program have set a goal to enroll 50% of eligible youngsters, which will mean reaching 1,000 more children. New program materials and outreach efforts are in the works. 

For more information or to sign up, visit https://clermontlibrary.org/imagination-library/.