Dolly Parton Imagination Library planned for Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh plans to open a branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the city with help from a Downtown charitable foundation.

The Benter Foundation has offered Pittsburgh a $250,000 grant that would be distributed over five years to help fund the free book program for children up to age 5.

City Council is scheduled to introduce a resolution Tuesday to accept the grant.

Under the program, children receive new, high-quality, age-appropriate books mailed directly to them each month.

The Imagination Library, established by the singer in 1995, handles overhead costs, databases, a book selection committee and the monthly mailings. Pittsburgh would use the grant to pay postage of $25 per child per year along with the costs of advertising and community outreach events, according to Tiffini Simoneaux, who is heading the program.

Simoneaux, manager of the city’s Office of Early Childhood, said early reading is critical for a child’s future academic success.

“They’ll get one book a month sent directly to their home,” she said. “The real exciting thing is it comes in their name. They’ll get 12 of those a year, and they can get up to 60.”

Simoneaux said the city would create an online portal and conduct community events where families can register. She said she would announce details after funding is approved. She expects to begin the program within four months.

Parton, the country music icon, started the program in Sevier County, Tenn., 24 years ago through her Dollywood Foundation. The Imagination Library has since mailed 115 million free books to children in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bob at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribweb.com or via Twitter @bobbauder.