In North Lincolnshire, thousands of children under five are building their very first libraries, one book at a time.
Thanks to a long-running initiative funded by the local council, more than 7,000 children in the region now receive a free, high-quality book through the post each month. The scheme, known as the Imagination Library, recently hit a major milestone: one million books delivered since its launch in 2013.
Nearly 87% of local children under five are currently enrolled, making North Lincolnshire one of the most active areas for the programme in the UK. In fact, the region accounts for one in six of all Imagination Library books distributed nationwide.
Run in partnership with local libraries, schools and family hubs, the scheme is open to all children in North Lincolnshire from birth until their fifth birthday. Families simply register to start receiving monthly books tailored to their child’s age and development stage.
More than a feel-good gesture, the books are having a measurable impact. Children in the programme are significantly more likely to reach expected levels of development by the end of their early years.
With council backing secured for the future, the scheme is set to keep turning pages—and sparking imaginations, for years to come.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/WavebreakMediaMicro
