Haywood
County Reading Railroad, Vision Haywood County Foundation, in cooperation with
the Dolly Parton Foundation’s Imagination Library and Governor’s Books from
Birth Foundation, has proclaimed September 18-24, 2006, as “Imagination Library
Week in Tennessee.”
Tennessee
is the first state to have all 95 counties participating in this program that
provides free books to all children under the age of five. Haywood County
Reading Railroad was one of the first in West Tennessee and is proud to bring
Imagination Library to the county. Study after study has shown that books in
the home enhance a child’s ability to learn in the classroom. It is the hope of
Reading Railroad, that this small effort will produce better educated, more
productive adults.
Each
county is responsible for raising funds to support this endeavor. Through local
donations and matched funds by Governor Bredesen’s foundation, children in
Haywood County are able to receive hardcover, age appropriate books.
Haywood
County Reading Railroad first began taking enrollments in September 2004. Since
that date, over 600 children, half of the eligible population, have enrolled.
Locating and enrolling the 600 children not currently in the program is a continuing
effort of the reading railroad volunteers.
Enroll Your Child
Today!
If
you have a child under the age of five, who is a resident of Haywood County,
please obtain an enrollment form from the Elma Ross Public Library, Insouth
Bank or First South Bank. Completed forms can be returned to the library or to
Reading Railroad at P. O. Box 25, Brownsville, TN 38012.
For more information about this program, visit imaginationlibrary.com, governorsfoundation.org or allaboutbrownsville.net.