Dolly Parton Imagination Library expanded in city
LANSING, MI – Mallory DePrekel of Lansing, along with over 1,000 local families, are applauding the
Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) for instilling a love for reading in their young children.
The program provides Lansing children with free, high-quality, age-appropriate books every
month. DePrekel, executive director and president of Communities in Schools of Michigan,
appreciates how much her son looks forward to receiving the new books.
“The opportunity to provide my kids with books that cross genres and provide a diverse world
through stories was one that I couldn’t miss out on,” said DePrekel. “The Imagination Library is
a regular package we await each month, and there is nothing better than seeing my kids run to
the mailbox when the books arrive. It makes bedtime much easier when they are excited to
read the books.”
The Lansing Housing Commission, (LHC) in partnership with Communities in Schools of
Michigan, brought the program to the 48906 zip code in 2020. The process started when
Kristine Ranger, LHC consultant, and former teacher thought the program would greatly impact
those who live in LHC housing because literacy was an identified need for residents. This is
when they teamed up with Communities in Schools of Michigan to make it a reality.
“Knowing the expansion of this program has brought free books to so many families in the
Lansing area is very rewarding,” said Doug Fleming, LHC executive director. “Having a new book
arrive in the mail addressed to the child each month can spark a love of reading and start
removing barriers to self-sufficiency in adulthood.”
This program is available to children ages 0-5 in the 48906 and 48911 zip codes of Lansing.
While some may be too young to read the books, having someone else read books to them
stimulates children’s imaginations and invokes a love of reading.
When asked if DePrekel recommends this program to other families she said, “Absolutely. The
Imagination Library is for everyone. I don’t think enough people know about the opportunity to
build their child’s library, and to do so with books that offer diverse perspectives.”
She recommends this to all Lansing families but also encourages others to buy into the Dolly
Parton Imagination Library and join the movement.
For more information, residents can visit lanshc.org/sign-up-the-kids-for-imagination-library/ or
go to imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability to register for the reading program. Registration
is ongoing. For more information about the Lansing Housing Commission, visit www.lanshc.org.
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