Bredesen Proclaims Imagination Library Week September 19-25

Sponsored by Nissan, Local County Imagination Libraries Celebrate 215,000 Children Receiving Free Books and More Than 10 Million Books Delivered

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has officially proclaimed Imagination Library Week (sponsored by Nissan) in Tennessee September 19-25, 2010.  During this week, local Imagination Library affiliates in all 95 counties are bringing awareness to the free book program and hoping to boost enrollment across the state. 

This year’s events are celebrating the 215,000 Tennessee children under the age of five who currently receive one free high quality age, appropriate book delivered to their home each month, and the fact that more than 10 million free books have been delivered to Tennessee children across the state since 2004.  

“I encourage every Tennessee family with children under the age of five to enroll their children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during Imagination Library week,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “During the past six years, this program has reached thousands of children and changed lives by providing them with tools to create a lifetime of learning, developing their vocabulary and school readiness. Our goal is for every child not currently enrolled to have their own library of books so that they can join the thousands of others who are growing and benefiting from this program.”

Please visit www.governorsfoundation.org to see a list of Imagination Library events happening in your area. The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation encourage all Tennesseans to either enroll their child or give to their local county’s Imagination Library so that a child in your community can receive free books.  Donations to your county’s Imagination Libraries can also be made at www.governorsfoundation.org.

Created in 1996 by Dolly Parton as a gift to the children in her hometown of Sevierville, TN., the Imagination Library mails a new, age-appropriate, high-quality book every month to registered children, from birth until age five – at no cost to the family, regardless of income.  Just $24 annually provides for the purchase and delivery of 12 books to one child.  This cost is split evenly between a non-profit sponsoring organization in every Tennessee county and a state budgetary allocation administered by the GBBF.

Currently, 57 percent of all Tennessee children ages 0-5 are registered in the Imagination Library and are receiving free books in the mail.  More than 188,000 Tennessee five-year-olds have already “graduated” from the program.  The statewide program has helped deliver more than 10 million books to Tennessee children since the creation of the GBBF in 2004.

About the GBBF:

The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation® was established in 2004 by Gov. Phil Bredesen and currently serves Imagination Library organizers in all 95 counties by providing fund-raising, public relations, and other support.  To learn how to support your county’s Imagination Library program, or for information on how to register a child, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or call toll-free, 1-877-99-BOOKS.