Children in rural Oklahoma can receive free books each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Thanks to a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, several rural communities across Oklahoma now have access to books for children.

Updated: December 3, 2024, 10:58 a.m. CST

Special Projects Producer/Digital Editor

Thanks to a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, several rural communities across Oklahoma now have access to books for children. >> Download KOCO 5 app. Families with children under 5 in Seminole, Wewoka, Holdenville, Wetumka, Davenport and other locations in the United Way of Eastern Frontier Country service area can register to receive free books in the mail. “It is exciting to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to communities in Seminole, Hughes and Lincoln Counties. This reflects our commitment to targeting every part of our service area and ensuring every child has access to the resources they need to thrive. Since its launch.” “After we completed the program in the last week of October, 254 children have already signed up! “Our goal is to enroll every child possible in our service area,” Sandy Vanderburg, executive director of UWEFC, said. The new program will be celebrated with a launch party at Wewoka Library on Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. The children will be given “The Little Engine That Could” as a free book and will receive a free book in the mail every month until their fifth birthday. United Way received a grant from Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative to cover the cost of the books’ first year. Get the latest news of interest by clicking here. “Through our Operation Round Up program, CVEC is proud to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and help provide free books to children in our community,” said Carla Tollett, director of communications and member engagement for CVEC. “By rounding up their monthly electricity bills, our participating members make a significant contribution to early childhood literacy. We believe in the power of education and are excited to see the positive difference these books will make for the children and families we serve.” Top Headlines Oklahoma’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Crisis Some Guthrie residents are along for the ride Faced with skyrocketing water bills Copper theft leads to refrigerator problems at Uptown Grocery Teen accused of beating and killing woman in Oklahoma City Oklahoma City police officer arrested for rape in Canadian County