We are incredibly thankful to each and every one of you for helping us make literacy a top priority. 40% of our third graders cannot read proficiently. We live in a digital world and our young children spend more time on devices and gaming than any other activity. If we are going to solve the reading crisis and help EVERY child read by third grade, WE must put more books in the hands of our children to ignite a love of reading.
Exciting news! E3:Elevate Early Education is honored to be the State Partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Virginia (DPIL). There is a powerful public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia, The Dollywood Foundation, Virginia Department of Education, E3 and Local Program Partners to collectively promote, grow and sustain DPIL across Virginia. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is part of Virginia’s comprehensive strategy to help EVERY child read by third grade. During the 2024 Session, HB 1075 passed with bipartisan support and set up the structure for a state program to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Virginia (DPIL).
DPIL is a book gifting program that mails age-appropriate, high quality books to children birth to age five, regardless of the families income, to simply inspire a love of reading. A child and family enrolled at birth will have a library of over 60 books (Spanish/English options). The books come with a letter from Dolly, reading tips and activities for families to engage and interact. The Local Program Partners are at the heart of the program. They raise local funds and enroll children in their coverage area. It is a shared funding model between the Commonwealth, The Dollywood Foundation and private dollars. The state provides 50% and the Local Program Partners contribute 50% of the funds for books and mailings.
77 Local program Partners.
Almost 70k enrolled (14% of children birth to age five).
OVER 300k + children NEED equitable access to books.
There are book deserts across Virginia.
The Imagination Library research is in!
- Children develop emerging literacy skills (concepts of print, alphabet knowledge, vocabulary, phonological awareness and memory).
- Interactions between children and families are strong.
- Supports social-emotional development.
- Reading 3x a week jumped from 60 to 85%.
- Daily reading DOUBLED from 29% to 59%.
- Kindergarten readiness INCREASED by 29%
- Improved reading skills and higher scores on tests than non-participating peers.
- Reduced retention in kindergarten through third grade.
The General Assembly Session is underway! Together, WE will put more books in the hands of our children, ignite a love of books and reading. The $4.6 million biennium budget request will promote, grow and sustain DPIL of Virginia, help local programs and provide equitable access to books for over 300,000+ children and families.
Stay tuned for how you can help!
With gratitude,
Lisa Howard
President & CEO Chair