Program created by Dolly Parton will give free books to local kids

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is officially launching a local affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Founded by iconic the country music singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist, the Imagination Library addresses social barriers to literacy by mailing free, high-quality age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth to age 5, regardless of family income.

One book is sent to each enrolled child every month.

Children and their caregivers are invited to the Sault's launch of the program at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library on July 11 at 11 a.m.

city's launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program dedicated to fostering a love of reading among young children next week.

Those under the age of five who live in the city are eligible, but spots are limited.

The initiative is supported by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, Kiwanis Club of Sault Ste. Marie, the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie and Avery Construction Ltd.

"Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world," says a news release issued today by the city.

All told, the program has gifted more than 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland.