It might come as a surprise that in Virginia, over 43 percent of students cannot read by third grade. Across the state, nearly half a million children and families need access to books, and 7,000 of them live in Portsmouth. As a community effort to increase literacy and equitable access to books, E3: Elevate Early Education, Chain Breakers Inc., and the Portsmouth community have come together to establish a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library branch to provide free, high-quality, and age-appropriate books via mail every month to children from birth to age 5.
“Reading aloud to a child for just 15 minutes a day makes a huge impact,” says Lisa Howard, President and CEO of E3.
On Saturday, April 25, families, business, civic, philanthropic leaders, donors, and supporters all gathered at the Children’s Museum of Virginia to celebrate the program’s launch.
“This program is deeply personal to me,” says Chainbreakers Inc. Executive Director, Frances Knight Thompson. “As an educator and lifelong advocate for children, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of early literacy support can impact a child’s confidence and academic trajectory. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will allow us to intervene early before struggle becomes frustration.”
“Saturday’s launch event was a joyful and inspiring celebration of literacy and community. It was a day filled with excitement, connection, and a shared commitment to our children’s future,” says Thompson. “The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Imagination Library within the museum was especially exciting as children and adults enjoyed reading time and the wonderful books provided by E3 and the Dollywood Foundation.”
The Imagination Library provides a cozy place for children and families to sit and enjoy reading together inside the museum. A cardboard stand-up of Dolly Parton welcomed young readers, holding a QR code for families to enroll directly into the program.
“The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Many parents expressed how meaningful it was to receive books at home and to be part of something that directly supports their child’s development,” says Thompson. “There was a strong sense of unity and pride. It truly felt like a community coming together around a shared purpose.”
There are Imagination Libraries across Virginia. Visit ImaginationLibrary.com/Check-Availabilityto find one near you.
This article is a Virginia Living digital exclusive.
