Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library could soon be coming to more parts of Indiana.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the expansion of the library as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda on Thursday.
Holcomb says the goal of expanding the program statewide is so that children ages 5 and under have access to books.
“I learned from a very young age that reading is the key to further education and opportunity ahead, long-term,” Holcomb said in a news release. “The very ability to read can transport children and adults alike to places they have never been and open doors they never knew existed.”
Holcomb signed legislation in May that allots $6 million over the biennium, with $2 million in the first year and $4 million the second year. This will help expand the program to every ZIP code in Indiana.
“It takes a lot of great people working together to make this possible, and I want to thank Governor Holcomb, the Indiana General Assembly, State Librarian Jake Speer and all our Local Community Partners across the state who helped make this dream a reality,” Dolly Parton said in a news release.
The Indiana State Library will oversee the program and provide the state’s match to interested organizations or individuals who want to be local partners.
Source : Wlky
