Community Literacy Engagement: Imagination Library Kindergarten Impact Study (ILKIS)

The Early Literacy Coalition (ELC) of Eastern North Carolina was conceptualized in 2015 in response to community concerns related to early literacy. This grassroots effort seeks to mobilize community members and resources to address these concerns in Pitt County and to establish a model for implementation across Eastern North Carolina. As members of the higher education community invested in literacy education and research(particularly early literacy development and access to books), we have been involved in this community partnership from its inception. The first initiative of the ELC, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL), was launched in spring of 2016. The DPIL book distribution program delivers one free, high-quality book per month to Pitt County children from birth to five years old. Supported by the United Way of Pitt County, there are currently 4,250 community children enrolled in the program. While the community is supporting the cost of the DPIL book distribution program, there remains a continued need for support of the research component meant to document its impact. Significant costs include gifts of appreciation for research participants, data collection supplies, and data transcription fees. Funds will be utilized to purchase children's books for research participants.

Scholars @ ECU