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Milestone for reading plan backed by Dolly Parton
A CONTROVERSIAL children's reading scheme launched by country and western star Dolly Parton has been hailed a success after it recruited its 10,000th member.
Rotherham's Imagination Library attracted huge attention when it was first unveiled in 2007, with Parton, who backs the scheme through her charity the Dollywood Foundation, arriving in the town.
The scheme, which has been running for several years in the US, 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.
It has been derided by some critics as a waste of money, but those backing the scheme say it is funded by donations from individuals, groups and organisations at a local and national level.
The latest children to join the scheme were 14-week-old twins Conor and Lois Plant and their parents were congratulated by local MP John Healey, who also supports the scheme.
Mr Healey said: "This is an excellent scheme as anything that gets children interested in reading with parents and grandparents or carers is a great thing We are leading the way again in Rotherham and I would like to see this scheme happening across the country."
The twins' mother Rachel, of Dalton, Rotherham, said: "Books aren't just about learning – 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."
Rotherham became the first area in the UK to sign up to the Imagination Library and yesterday the council's cabinet member for children and young people, Shaun Wright, 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."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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