The City of Mount Vernon will be supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the years to come. Representatives from Friends of the Lisbon Public Library presented about the program at the Dec. 2 council meeting.

John Bardsley said the Friends of the Lisbon Public Library are supporting the program in both communities of Lisbon and Mount Vernon, and has a total of 221 kids signed up for the program. Mount Vernon represents 84 of those kids currently in the program.

“It took us roughly two years to get to 60 percent participation in Lisbon when we launched,” Bardsley said. “It’s a well-received program, and we have had supporters who are very generous for the program.”

Marti Hurst said the importance of the program is to inspire a love of reading in all children.

“Exposing children to books earlier increases their school readiness,” Hurst said. “They are able to learn how to hold a book, name objects they spot in books, [and] start reading books themselves. All things that make people literate. What an investment in our community to support children and learning.”

Hurst said something children get excited about is receiving mail each month, as the books arrive monthly.

Bardsley said he would like the City of Mount Vernon to commit to what they feel comfortable to support the project. The cost for the program is $6,000 annually. The City of Lisbon currently funds $1,000 to the pro- gram, and other donors have made throughout the years.

Council member Paul Tuerler said this was a “no-brainer.”

“It fits with our mission to support the public library in Mount Vernon,” Tuerler said.

Families can sign up for the program at Lisbon Public Library, Bauman’s and Cole Library. Members of the committee have held sign-ups at numerous festivals in Mount Vernon and Lisbon.