Imagination Library stops in Florence to sign up families

June 10, 2006

By Shireese Bell
The Morning News

Florence, SC. Parents of children age 5 and younger can spark an early desire for learning by registering for free books through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Mary Wiser, director of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for Florence County, was on hand Friday to register First Reliance Bank employees, customers and members of the Florence County community for free books through this national program.

The program is an an initiative of the United Way. Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, children can receive a total of 60 books. That's one book a month for five years. Wiser said the books parents receive are age-appropriate and progress as the child gets older.

"These are hardback books that they can keep," she said. "We want books to be like toys. Books can be something that they pick up just as easily as toys."

Wiser said if children begin to read at an early age, they are more prepared and ready to learn once they enter kindergarten. "It's not too early to prepare our children to learn, to want to learn and have a full desire to learn," she said. "That learning opportunity starts very young."

Wiser said First Reliance Bank is the first bank in Florence County to fund books for every person who signs up at the bank.

Wiser also said she wants everyone to know that when you sign up for the program, you will never be solicited for funds.

Reuben Hewitt, service leader at First Reliance, said having the registration Friday is one way the bank can show its customers appreciation. "I found out that it is wiser to learn from the experience of others than to go through all those experiences yourself," he said. "Continuous improvement keeps you on track, and we want to help instill that in children."