A free book each month for preschoolers, thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Waylon Piechowiak was laughing and running around a play area inside the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County building on Thursday. His mother, Elizabeth Ekleberry, an employee at the center, smiled as she watched her son.

Ekleberry said she loves to read. She reads a book to Waylon and his 10-year-old brother every night before the kids go to bed.

For the next three years, Waylon will receive a book a month for free, thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

About 50 people gathered Thursday morning at the coalition offices for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the new partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Among those in attendance was Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano.

Waylon was the first child from Marion County to sign up for the program, officials said.

According to officials at the center, those interested in the program can enroll their child or children at ImaginationLibrary.com/USA/Affiliate/FLMarionCo. Once a child is enrolled, the first books will be sent to the child's residence within 12 weeks. Each month, the child will receive a free book until their 5th birthday.

Coalition CEO Carrie Theall said in a press release that the community's response has been positive. "Over a thousand children were registered in less than a week. This shows us the level of interest parents have to increase the pre-literacy skills of their children.”

Ekleberry wished the program was available for her older son. She said once she learned the program was coming to the community, she quickly signed up Waylon.

"I was waiting for the moment," she said.

Information on the Dolly Parton library and Early Learning Coalition

According to its website, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has been in existence since 1995, and by 2003, had mailed 1 million books to children. In 2022, the site states, 2 million books were mailed each month globally. The program has reached Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, according to the website.

The goal of the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County is to "meet the early care and education needs of children and families in Marion County," according to a press release announcing Thursday's event.

Coalition officials said "they implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), School Readiness, and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) programs on behalf of the Florida Department of Education Division of Early Learning."

Additional information about the coalition can be obtained by calling (352) 369-2315 or visiting ELC-Marion.org.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library