Senator Iwen Chu Rallies for Creation of Statewide Imagination Library program

Senator Chu (SD-17) chair of the Senate Libraries Committee joined Senators Jeremy Cooney, Lea Webb, John Mannion, Assemblymembers Karines Reyes and Billy Jones, and advocates in rallying for S8514A, the creation of a statewide Imagination Library program, based on Dolly Parton's Imagination Library flagship program, which would provide age-appropriate books on a monthly basis, at home, to each child ages 0-5 registered in the program at no cost to the family.

“The seeds of love and joy for reading are planted in early childhood. As a mom, I know the exposure of reading in the first five years can be life-changing for a student. The early exposure not only cultivates a passion for reading but also significantly contributes to a child’s overall development,” said NYS Senator Iwen Chu. “However, too many children are in homes without books or access to books.  I’m proud to fight for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that can deliver books directly to children across New York State, fostering an enduring love for reading.”

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library flagship program has been launched since 1995 and has distributed over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.6 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. In the U.S., 1 in 8 children under the age of five currently receives Imagination Library books. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families.  

There are currently 64 Imagination Library affiliates running programs across New York State with over 50,000 children enrolled. S8514A passed through the Senate Libraries Committee chaired by Senator Chu and is included in the Senate’s One House budget. Senator Chu continues to fight for the inclusion of S8514A in the State budget for the creation and funding of the program. 

To view Senator Chu’s remarks, please visit: www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/video/iwen-chu/senator-iwen-chu-rallies-statewide-imagination-library-program

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