Dolly’s Library Lands in San Diego | California News

0:00It's September 4th. You're listening to California News today, AI-powered local news. Alright, let's talk about something real positive happening in San Diego. Dolly Parton's imagination library is officially coming to the county, and this ain't no small deal. This program, which mails free books to kids from birth up to their fifth birthday, is kicking off with the biggest launch in its 31 year. History. It's all thanks to a partnership with the Dr. Sous Foundation, who are just as hyped about getting books into little hands as Dolly herself was. This initiative is a big deal, because it's designed to give every child a solid foundation for learning. The idea is simple. If kids have access to books early on, they're more likely to succeed in school and beyond. The Dr. Sous Foundation sees it as a shared mission, aiming to make sure young minds have the resources they need to thrive. It's a powerful way to honor Dolly's own passion for literacy, which she started in her hometown of Tennessee back in 1995. Dolly Parton herself created the imagination library as a tribute to her father, who couldn't

1:03read or write. That personal connection is with fuels this whole operation. It's a legacy project, really, designed to keep giving back long after she's gone. The program is already global, reaching kids in multiple countries, but this San Diego launch is setting a new record for its scale. Now, this local effort got a major boost from California Senate, Bill 1183. This bipartisan bill set up a statewide program and provides matching funds for communities that raise their own support. San Diego County is home to over 170,000 children under 5, making it the largest county in the nation to bring this program to. Every eligible kid, it shows a real commitment from the state and local level to invest in our youngest generation. So if you've got little ones in San Diego County or know someone who does, get ready. Families can check availability and sign up online to be notified when the program officially rolls out. It's a beautiful way to keep Dolly's spirit alive and ensure that the love of reading

2:05gets passed down, one book at a time.