Free Preschool Book Program, the Imagination Library,
Expands into Laurel Highlands

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC), the Community Foundation of Fayette County, Laurel Business Institute, and the Uniontown Public Library are pleased to announce that the Imagination Library program will be expanded to include residents of both Uniontown and Laurel Highlands school districts. Imagination Library is a national literacy program originally launched by Dolly Parton in 1996 to foster a love of reading, promote the reading development of preschool age children, and improve school preparedness. The program provides free children's books to participants from birth to age five. Each month a new, age appropriate book is mailed to every enrolled child's home. Currently over 730 communities in 43 states, the District of Columbia, 6 Canadian provinces and 1 Canadian territory are participating in the program. The program previously was available locally only to residents of the City of Uniontown.

Lynne Tharan, the new Library Director for the Uniontown Library, is very excited about this amazing opportunity to expand the program into Laurel Highlands and to continue to impact the future literacy of children by fostering a familiarity with books and reading. "We're thrilled to be able to expand the Imagination Library to these areas. It's a wonderful opportunity for parents and their children to receive these books free each month. Studies show that when there are books in the home and a parent reading to the child, the child will have an advantage when they begin school."

A proponent of early care and education, the Private Industry Council is thrilled to be part of this endeavor. Tim Yurcisin, President of the Private Industry Council encourages all Uniontown and Laurel Highlands families with children under five to register for the Imagination Library and make a commitment to read to their child every day. According to Mr. Yurcisin, "Reading to your child early and often improves their ability to be successful in school and beyond".

To enroll your child in the Imagination Library program and start receiving a free book each month for your child you must:


• Be a resident of the city of Uniontown or Laurel Highlands School Districts with a child under five
• Submit an official registration form, available through the Uniontown Library
• Read to your child often
• Notify the Uniontown Library any time your address changes.

For more information on the Imagination Library program, or if you are interested in donating to the program, please contact Lynne Tharan, Library Director at Uniontown Public Library at 724-437-1165 or William Huebner at the Private industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. at 724-437-2590.