Pictou County kids get more books with $5K grant

Thanks to $5,000 in grants from Pictou County’s community health boards, local kids can now dive into an even bigger collection of books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 

“We are incredibly thankful for the support of the project,” says Carlee Tibbo, who helped form the local group that is affiliated with the literacy program named for the famous country music singer. 

The program is committed to promoting children's literacy throughout the community. 

Contributions this year from the Central and East Pictou Community Health Board ($3,500) and Pictou West Community Health Board ($1,500) landed in the hands of Tibbo’s organization in November with books being sent to youngsters a month later. 

“Every book delivered really does plant that seed for lifelong learning and better health,” says the New Glasgow resident. “We look forward to continuing to grow the program. It would not really be where it is today without the funds, so, we’re very thankful for it.” 

Tibbo’s Imagination Library of Pictou County prides itself on providing local children up to age five with free, age-appropriate books, delivered directly to their homes each month. Through this program, she aims to spark a love of reading and set kids on a path to academic success. 

“My kids had access to the program when we lived in the Annapolis Valley and then, when we moved to Pictou County, I saw that nobody was doing it here,” she explains, “so, I brought it here.” 

Tibbo embraces the Imagination Library as vital to helping a young person’s language and literacy skills and setting the stage for life-long learning. 

“You can bond with your children with these new books,” she points out. 

“The kids get excited to get something in the mail because normally kids under the age of five do not get much mail, so it's delivered directly to their house. All these books are educational. The kids will have their own mini library by the time they start kindergarten.” 

Funding has always been essential to the program’s success, with interest never in short supply. Since its inception, the Inspiration Library has mailed in excess of 1,000 books to more than 200 children. 

“We rely entirely on grants and fundraising; donations from individuals and different businesses throughout the community to sustain and grow it,” she adds. The Dolly Parton Foundation takes care of any administrative tasks. Tibbo uses a tablet to order the books. 

“We don’t have a physical space and I volunteer my time to make sure the book gets in the kids’ hands.” 

Tibbo expresses gratitude to her local health boards and encourages public donations to ensure the Imagination Library continues providing books to children for years to come.  

“This early literacy is helping better prepare them to start school,” she says. “It’s making kids smarter earlier; and these books are building bonds with families – it makes a difference.” 

Photo of Carlee Tibbo and her oldest son, Henry, enjoying some reading time.