General Program Information
What do you do?
We are the local program affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We mail high-quality, developmentally appropriate books once a month to local children to help increase kindergarten readiness rates in Johnson County, Indiana. Each child can receive up to 60 books by the time they enter kindergarten.
Why do children need books?
Forty-one percent of Johnson County children cannot identify letters or the sounds those letters make when they enter kindergarten. These basic pre-literacy skills are an important foundation for reading success, and learning to read is easier for children who already have these skills.
Research has shown that children who have access to books before kindergarten achieve a higher reading proficiency and do better academically in later years, regardless of their parents’ income, education level, or occupation. Unfortunately, if a child does not read proficiently by fourth grade, there is a greater likelihood that child will drop out of high school, be unemployed, live in poverty, and be incarcerated.
Who is eligible?
All children from birth through age 4 who live in Johnson County, Indiana, are eligible. All children under age 5 and living in these zip codes are eligible for the program, regardless of income level. Children “graduate” from our program the month that they turn 5.
What kind of books will my child receive?
The books are chosen each year by a team of early literacy experts. The books are age-appropriate, so younger children receive books with fewer words, bold contrasts, and large pictures, whereas older children receive books with story lines, a greater variety of words, and more complex pictures. Each child receives two bilingual books (Spanish and English) per year. You may find the current list of books here.
Registration
How do I sign my child up?
You may find our quick and easy online registration form here. You will need to enter your child’s name, birthdate, and gender and the parent’s name, address, email, and phone number.
Can grandparents sign their grandchildren up?
Yes! We have many grandparents who receive books at their houses for their grandchildren. For smooth delivery, please be sure to put the grandparent’s name in place of the parent’s name on the registration form so that the name of the adult on the mailing label is the person who lives at that address.
Can more than one child in the same family receive books?
Yes, absolutely! We encourage parents to register all of their eligible children to receive books. Children born in different calendar years receive different books.
What if I have twins or triplets?
Children born in the same year receive the same books, so twins and triplets will receive identical books, and they will each have their own set.
Book Delivery
When will my child receive the books?
Each child receives one book each month. The first book a child receives, The Little Engine That Could, arrives at the beginning of the month. In subsequent months, the timing of the books’ arrival depends on the age of the child: for older children (age 3 and 4), the books arrive towards the beginning of the month, and for younger children, the books arrive towards the end of the month.
I signed my child up, but they have not received a book yet. Did something go wrong?
At the beginning of each month, our local program volunteers send the list of new registrations from the previous month to the folks who prepare the mailing labels and books to be shipped the following month. This means that there can be a little bit of lag time from when you register your child to when they receive their first book. For example, if you sign your child up in mid-July, then in August, their first book will be prepared for shipping in September. If you would like to double check the timing of their registration and first book delivery, we’d be happy to help. Just choose one of our friendly contact methods.
My four-year-old has received a book this month, but my two-year-old has not. Why is that?
Children born in different years receive their books at different times of the month. All the books for all the programs in the United States are shipped from a single facility, and they ship one book title at a time. Older children may expect to receive their books towards the beginning of the month, and younger children may expect to receive their books towards the end of the month.
We’ve moved. How do I change my address?
You may change your address by logging into your account. Your email address is your username. Once you log in, click on your child’s name then on “Update Address.” If you are unable to change your address this way, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you with the change.
Donations
How can I support ILJC?
We must raise $25 per child per year, and with our current enrollment at more than 1,800 children, we need over $46,000 to cover our yearly expenses. Since our program is run entirely by volunteers who work tirelessly to raise these funds, we gratefully welcome tax-deductible donations via our website from individuals, community organizations, and businesses. Unless otherwise requested, all donations over $500 will be acknowledged publicly via our social media accounts.
Please contact us to inquire about sponsorship opportunities both for our books’ mailing labels and for special events that promote literacy in our community. We also welcome volunteers to help with special fundraisers or registration events.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes! We are a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
How much of my donation will go towards sending books to kids?
Our organization is run entirely by volunteers, and we have very few overhead expenses, so 100% of your donation will be used to purchase books for children.
Further Questions
Whom should I contact if I have a question?
Please email us at imaginationlibraryjoco@gmail.com or call us at (317) 560-4566, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.