The Sullivan County Imagination Library is an affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and a partner with the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation.
OUR MISSION
The Mission of the Sullivan County Imagination Library is to develop the love of reading to all children in this county by providing an age-appropriate book each month to every child from birth to five years.
OUR VISION
Imagine the benefits to children and to society if all Sullivan County kindergartners arrived at school loving books and reading.
OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Sullivan County Imagination Library provides books to children of Sullivan County, TN from birth to age 5 regardless of race, religion, sex, ethnicity, or family income. Many of the greatest ideas and results come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we actively strive to recruit board members who represent our diverse community.
Impact a Child's Life
Lasting Effects of Your Gift
Being read to as a child and having books in the home are the two factors most associated with later success in school. Reading to a child enhances critical brain development in the early years of life. By developing a love of reading, children are set on the path to becoming lifelong readers and learners. Early Literacy Matters-read statistics at the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation
Financial Accountability
SCIL is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. Because we have no personnel costs, 94% of our budget is spent on the Imagination Library books and the postage to mail. The Sullivan County Imagination library is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, so your contributions are tax-deductible.
Book Selection
Each year, the esteemed Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts, is responsible for reviewing hundreds of potential titles for inclusion in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Costs, Funding and Donors
The cost of enrolling one child for one year is approximately $24. The Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation provides half of the total cost per child. The remaining amount must be raised by the local Sullivan County Imagination Library affiliate. We mail approximately 6,400 books each month with a book bill of about $7000 a month. See Honor Roll of Donors link for a full list of our donors.
Impact Study
In 2017 we completed a study in coordination with Kingsport City Schools to determine the impact of receiving Imagination Library books to children entering school. Click on icon to read results.
