10/17/2007 More than 300 children have signed up for Imagination Library Alaura Jones reads to her 10-month-old son, Albert, every night before he goes to bed. A new reading program in Daviess County will help Jones expand her son's library as he grows up. She is just one of several hundred parents getting their children involved with the Imagination Library of Daviess County. Community members and leaders gathered Tuesday in the Greater Owensboro Commerce Center for the kickoff of the reading initiative. Several of the program's organizers spoke about Imagination Library, which provides age-appropriate books for children from newborn to age 5. "We have the potential to serve 7,000 children," Tracy Marksberry, executive director of The Learning Community, said after the kickoff. "A year from now, we would anticipate serving thousands of children." The Junior League of Owensboro and The Learning Community have taken the lead on the project and have partnered with other organizations and individuals in the community. As long as a child lives in Daviess County, he or she is eligible for the program. So far, Imagination Library of Daviess County has raised $60,000. Organizers have begun to focus on spreading the word about the program. As of Tuesday afternoon, 349 children had registered. As the program grows, it will need continued support from donors, organizers said. A $30 donation would fund a one-year book supply, Marksberry said. Participating children receive one hardback book a month for their personal libraries until they turn 5. Mayor Tom Watson and County Commissioner Bruce Kunze attended Tuesday's kick-off, and both invited Imagination Library of Daviess County members to speak at future City Commission and Fiscal Court meetings. Local businessman Malcolm Bryant announced that The Malcolm Bryant Corporation will donate a one-year supply of books in the name of each customer they have. "It's just so exciting," Bryant said. When his children were growing up, "we'd read books until the pages fell out." Each child receives "The Little Engine That Could" as his or her first book and "Look Out, Kindergarten, Here I Come" in the month of his or her fifth birthday. Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent Larry Vick said since the children would be reading many of the same books, teachers might be able to work that into their lessons. "This is probably the best way we can provide this common thread," he said. "We can't send them all to Disneyland, but we can buy them all the same books so they can experience a similar set of quality reading material." Imagination Library was founded in 1996 by Dolly Parton, and she provided every preschool child in her home county of Sevier County, Tenn., with books. Janet Land, preschool coordinator for Daviess County Public Schools, said she believes Imagination Library Daviess County is going to help children build confidence in their ability to read. "I think the impact is going to be huge," she said. To Learn More Representatives from the Junior League of Owensboro will be at Reid's Orchard's Apple Festival on Saturday and Sunday for people to register for the program. People can also visit www.GOLearningCommunity.com or www.imaginationlibrary.com and fill out a registration form. For more information on how to donate or other questions, call 926-4339.