We are so fortunate to be in Cayuga County, a county that is working hard to build literacy skills, prepare children for school and foster the love of reading.

We are living in one of the few counties in the state that offers to its youngest residents the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Each month, enrolled children, birth to their fifth birthday, receive in the mail a book that has been selected by a national panel. Imagine a child's joy and anticipation each month when a child visits the mailbox and receives a book that can added to her personal library. Research strongly supports that when there is printed material in the home and the parents read to children, they are more likely to be successful when they enter school.

By having exposure to books in the home, children at the youngest age understand that print goes left to right, top to bottom, basic understandings for readers.

As parents read to their children, a positive feeling toward reading and sense of connectedness to the parents develops.

Hats off and a huge thank you to anyone that has sponsored a child at $27 per year.

Funding for this program is so important. The hope is that all children in the county, regardless of income, will take advantage of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library under the leadership of the E. John Gavras Center and Success By Six. reports that the total enrollment to date is 2,185 children with 650 “graduates.” This translates to 21,148 books being mailed since January of this year. This is amazing!

Although the service is free, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Cayuga County does need support to fund the program. Please go to the local Web site, http://www.gavrascenter.com/imaginationlibrary.php to find out more. Here one can find a registration form that can be printed to enroll eligible children.

Thank you in advance for the support that county residents can give to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, helping children be successful.

Carolyn Hirst-Loucks

Auburn