Elma Ross Public Library
First South Bank
Insouth Bank

or call 731-772-9534!

What is Reading Railroad?

Reading regularly with your children during their preschool years gives them the biggest boost toward a successful education that they will ever get.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library through Haywood County Reading Railroad will help you read with your child. Every child will have books of their very own, at no cost to you, thanks to the State of Tennessee Reading Railroad, generous sponsors and Dolly Parton.

Each month a carefully selected book is mailed directly to your home in your child's name. He/she will look forward to new and exciting adventures until he/she turns five years old. Should the child move, we ask that the parent contact the Elma Ross Public Library at 731-772-9534 and provide the staff with the new address or email the address to readingrailroad@bellsouth.net. If moving outside Haywood County, or out of Tennessee, by providing us with your new address, the child's registration will be transferred to the Imagination Library affiliate at the new location.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Haywood County Reading Railroad is a FREE GIFT to your children! All you have to do is read to them.

Who is Eligible?

Preschool children (birth until their fifth birthday) of Haywood County, Tennessee.

What are My Responsibilities?

1. Be a resident of Haywood County, Tennessee.
2. Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by a parent or guardian (form must be approved and onfile with the Reading Railroad).
3. Notify the Reading Railroad any time your address changes. Books are mailed to the address listed on the official registration form. If the child's address changes, you must contact Haywood County Reading Railroad at P. O. Box 25, Brownsville, TN 38012, in order to continue receiving books.
4. Read with your child.

When Will I Receive Books?

Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home and will continue until your child turns five or you move out of Haywood County, Tennessee.

How Can I Help?

If you know of a business, organization or individual who would like to donate funds to support this gift to your children, donations can be sent to:

Imagination Library
Facts About
Reading & Young People!

35% of children arrive at kindergarten unprepared for learning.
Interaction with his/her environment is a key factor in determining the ease with which a child will learn to read.
The more words a child hears, the larger the child's vocabulary. The larger the child's vocabulary, the more likely he/she will be a proficient reader.
Reading to your baby encourages the child to associate reading with love and comfort.
The more you talk and read to your baby, the faster the child will learn.
The report of the Commission on Reading states that "the single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children."
The key to proficiency in reading is to start early. Begin reading to your child the day he/she is born.