The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Chouteau County Library system recently recognized one of our own, Dee Pribyl. Dee recently visited with me about the imagination library, and we hadn't got together yet. However, seeing her being honored by the First Lady of Montana was a wonderful surprise. First Lady Susan Gianforte has made it possible for every child ages 0-5 in Montana to register for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Visit: https://imaginationlibrary.com and click on "check availability," and fill in your zip code to get started!

According to the imagination library website, "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family's income. After launching in 1995, the program grew quickly. First books were only distributed to children living in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Dolly grew up."

According to the Chouteau County Library, "In Chouteau County, there are currently just under 300 children eligible for this program and 84 who are signed up. Susan's goal is to reach 66% of all Montana children by the end of 2024.

The site thanked "Dee Pribyl for starting this program almost 20 years ago." Dee was excited to tell me that there was a renewed push to get free books to children in our area. The library said, "We are excited about the expansion to the rest of the county and throughout the state. "

You can go to the website to apply for free books or go to the local library to get more information. Dee, wouldn't it be fun to have every child eligible getting free books? Thank you Dee.