Program areas at Storybridge
Program to facilitate the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL). Storybridge helps to enroll children from birth to 5 years old in the DPIL program and then they are eligible to receive one free book every month until the age of 5. Storybridge pays a portion of the books for the children enrolled and manages the input of information in the DPIL data network. In 2022, there were 46,883 books distributed to 5,901 area children through this program.
The Kinderbridge program began in 2022 and was established to provide guided playgroups for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. The program provides free space, crafts, snacks, and instructional items to model reading and creative play that helps to prepare children for kindergarten. This program is provided as a billed service to the local school district's communities. Approximately 620 kids and their caregivers were served in 2022.
Storybridge has free book fairs at Title 1 Elementary schools and other public community events in both Amarillo and Dumas allowing for the selection of books for school children and their families. During the 2022 year, 35,665 books were distributed to over 5,900 children.
Born to Read 806 provides newborn infants with their first book before they leave the hospital. Approximately 4,000 books and infants have been served through this program in 2022.
Summer Storytimes launched in June 2022 and consists of approximately 9 events during the summer that provide a learning opportunity to participate in a storytime and craft at different venues throughout the community. In 2022 it provided enrichment for hundreds of families.
Storybridge provides various community events such as a costume parade and a dream and donate book drive. These programs help to raise public awareness and serve as an opportunity to collect used books for donation at book fairs.
Storybridge little free libraries program builds and establishes little libraries at high need areas and neighborhoods to provide free access to books in an effort to improve early literacy. Storybridge has established 30 little free libraries since the program began in 2019. The libraries provide around 250 books a week to area families.