Madison Reading Project is expanding its service area to include Sauk County, starting with its early literacy services for young children, the nonprofit announced on Monday.
“Since our pilot program began in 2014 at the Salvation Army Neighborhood Center, we have fostered curiosity, listening, trust, and collaboration to enhance access to resources,” Madison Reading Project said in a press release. “We’ve significantly expanded our services, reaching children from birth to 18 through our work, and launched various literacy programs to bring books and engaging events directly to communities. The impact of 12 years has been significant to the county, in the volume and quality of resources, the longevity of programs and relationships, and the willingness to be innovative to enhance book accessibility and book joy for all children, families, and educators.”
The Madison Reading Project will start with the youngest readers and introduce Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Sauk County families later this week. Thanks to the generous support of the Roots & Wings Foundation, the expansion will focus on early literacy services that build the foundational skills kids need before kindergarten.
Beginning March 19, parents and caregivers can enroll their child(ren), birth to age 5, in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to receive, at no charge, a carefully selected free book by mail every month that corresponds with the child’s age.
“We’ve been administering Imagination Library in Dane County since 2021, and thanks to the generous support of Roots & Wings Foundation, we’re now able to widen our reach,” says Rowan Childs, the founder and co-executive director of Madison Reading Project. “More than 13,500 children in Dane County receive this amazing gift in the mail every month and jumpstart literacy in their home. When families sign up their newborn, by the time their child turns five, the family will have received 60 books through the mail, helping build their home library, which not only enhances literacy skills, but also provides important opportunities for parent-child bonding.”
