Photo: Mia Farmer with her new book and her sister, Marissa.

The Imagination Library of Grant County is making a name for itself. Its local efforts are being felt not only across the state, but in Washington, D.C. as well.

According to Barbara Nelson, president of the local affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, "Within the past two weeks we have become the fiscal agent for the newly formed Imagination Library affiliates in Curry and Harding counties. It's exciting to see the growth that, we hope, will ultimately make The Imagination Library available to all New Mexican children." Nelson assures Grant County residents and donors that no Grant County funds will go to pay for the books that are sent out monthly to other counties. They will simply act as the tax-exempt umbrella for the other counties until those county officials can find 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who are willing to become the local champions. In the meantime, the Grant County affiliate will register children from the other counties, take care of the paperwork and see that the books are sent to the registered children. Curry County recently registered 178 children at their county fair.

Nelson said the growth all started when they testified before the New Mexico Interim Legislative Education Study Committee and also made a presentation at a meeting of the County Managers' Affiliate of the Association of New Mexico Counties in Santa Fe during this past year. As a result of those meetings and subsequent follow-ups, the Nelsons have received inquiries from a number of counties asking how they can start the Imagination Library in their area. The Nelsons are more than willing to help. Other counties are also communicating with the Nelsons and are considering the creation of their own affiliates. The Nelsons are encouraged by the growing awareness of the positive effects of reading to preschool children. Their ultimate goal is to create a statewide program with partial funding from the state.

At a statewide meeting of the county managers held in Deming in June, a resolution was unanimously passed, which, in part, "Encourages all New Mexico counties to participate in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library as one program which will encourage the growth and development of preschool children bringing them to the steps of Kindergarten eager and ready to learn." The resolution was signed by Mike Gallagher, the Chair of the organization and currently the county manager of Lea County.

The same sentiments have been acknowledged by the New Mexico Congressional Delegation. Loren Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer, told of the surprise letters they received. He said, "We were excited to receive a letter of support signed by all five of New Mexico's Washington delegation. Besides wishing us success in our venture, they offered a list of potential funding sources which we are currently exploring." In a separate letter, Nelson noted, Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham congratulated the local Imagination Library for benefiting not only "...the individual families who enroll, but [also having] the potential to benefit whole communities by reducing rates of illiteracy and improving academic achievement. I am proud of the Imagination Library's dedication to promoting reading and increasing home access to books for young children and their families."

For more information contact The Imagination Library of Grant County at 575.534.9156 or visit their website at www.ImaginationLibraryGC.org.