07 December 2009
10,000 LANDMARK REACHED ON IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Rotherham's Imagination Library had twin reasons for celebration this month as it officially welcomed its latest members, taking the total number of beneficiaries to over 10,000.
The Library, launched in 2007, aims to help children between the ages of 0-5 to improve their literacy skills by providing a free book for them, sent to their home, every month.
More than 10,000 have now signed up and the 10,000th and 10,001st sign ups were officially welcomed to the Library by Wentworth MP John Healey at the Willow Tree Children Centre at Dalton.
The two were 14 week old twin boys Conor and Louis Plant and their mother Rachel said: "Books aren't just about learning but they are also a social occasion for a family to sit down and read and enjoy them. It makes you realise how important books are in this age of computers and video games."
John Healey added: "This is an excellent scheme as anything that gets children interested in reading with parents and grandparents or carers is a great boost.
"We are leading the way again in Rotherham and I would like to see this scheme happening across the country."
Rotherham became the first area within the United Kingdom to sign up to the Imagination Library. The Imagination Library is run by the Dollywood Foundation and is funded through donations from individuals, groups and organisations at a local and national level.
Councillor Shaun Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services, said: "Improving children’s literacy rates is a key priority in Rotherham, and schemes such as this will help us achieve that aim.”
“The benefits of improving reading and communication in families are being noticed by parents and carers, and they are joining the project in their thousands.”