The Rotary Club of Port Townsend has worked for a long time to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the children of Jefferson County. The club’s hard work has paid off as the book-gifting program for preschool children is officially here.

A community-wide celebration kicked off the program with an official ribbon-cutting by Mayor Michelle Sandoval Monday, May 3 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The Imagination Library has supported more than 1.7 million children in the country, has provided more than 145 million books, and is here now to serve the community’s children.

Imagination Library is on a mission to help promote a passion for reading and learning. By offering an age-appropriate book for children every month in the mail at no cost to the parent, the library provides benefits to children as they enter into early learning.

With a donation of $25, a child will receive a year of free books. Children from birth to age 5 qualify. Once a child is registered, there is no renewal necessary.

Because of Imagination Library, a child registered at birth will have been exposed to 60 books by age 5.

With approximately 1,068 children currently under the age of 5 in the Jefferson County area, the Rotary Club has made a long-term commitment to bring those children one free book every month.

This program not only serves children, but families benefit, as well.

“You have every intention of reading books, as much as you can, to your children,” said program organizer Lynette Jennings, thinking back to raising her own children.

But going to the library is not always possible as parents juggle multiple jobs while raising kids, she explained.

With Imagination Library, a book arrives once a month automatically.

“For parents, this is a gift … this is a big gift,” Jennings continued.

“Whether you’re an underserved family who is really struggling or simply you’re just a busy family … It’s as wonderful a gift for the family as it is for the child.”

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8, the Rotary Club will be registering children for the program. The registration locations are the Safeway parking lot in Port Townsend, the QFC in Port Hadlock, and outside the Community Center in Quilcene.

Even for those who don’t have young children, community members are encouraged to sponsor a child and invest in their early literacy.

For more information about the Imagination Library in Jefferson County, contact imaginationjeffco@gmail.com.