Williamson Medical Center to enroll newborn babies in Tennessee’s Imagination Library Program

Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation, the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, and Williamson Medical Center partner to enroll newborns in Tennessee’s Imagination Library

Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF) and the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee celebrate the launch of a new birthing hospital partnership with Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Thursday morning to begin enrolling newborn babies into Tennessee’s Imagination Library program.

Through this partnership, each family of a newborn child will be given the opportunity to enroll in Tennessee’s Imagination Library and will then begin receiving one book per month mailed to the child’s home, at no cost to the family. Each child enrolled in the program prior to hospital discharge will receive the first Imagination Library book, The Little Engine That Could, as a tangible example of the wonderful books that will arrive each month until the child reaches age five. This gift was made possible by a generous grant from The Williamson Medical Center Foundation.

Tennessee’s Imagination Library program is made available to all Tennessee children, from birth to age five, through a unique, three-way partnership between GBBF, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and a local affiliate program in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. To emphasize the benefits of reading with children beginning at birth, GBBF launched the birthing hospital initiative in 2014, partnering with hospitals across the state to introduce Tennessee’s Imagination Library program to families of newborns.

Founded in 2005, the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee serves as the local affiliate Imagination Library program for Davidson, Williamson, and Sumner Counties, and has delivered more than 4.3 million books to children across Middle Tennessee. Currently, 68.6% of all children under age five living in Williamson County are enrolled in the program and receive books each month. Each month, the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee delivers more than 39,960 books to children in the community, including over 8,400 in Williamson County alone.

About GBBF

The mission of Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation is to sustain and strengthen Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in all 95 Tennessee counties, ensuring that new, age-appropriate books are mailed to Tennessee’s preschool children, at no cost to the family and regardless of income. To learn how to support your county’s Imagination Library program, or for information on how to register a child, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or www.facebook.com/TNImaginationLibrary, or call toll-free at (877) 99-BOOKS.

 

About Williamson Medical Center

Williamson Medical Center offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, 24-hour emergency care, preventive health screenings and wellness activities. Services offered by Williamson Medical Center are developed to provide the most cost-effective, convenient and accessible health care possible. More than 750 physicians represent more than 70 medical specialties and sub-specialties. The caliber of physicians and care at Williamson Medical Center offers patients a level of expertise and sophistication one expects to find at larger facilities, but with compassion and convenience unique to WMC. In 2015, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center opened on our campus, adding dedicated pediatric emergent and inpatient care to our offerings. With our fully equipped pediatric rooms, we are now able to provide focused, specific care to the children of our community as well as their parents. For more information visit www.williamsonmedicalcenter.org.

 

About United Way of Metropolitan Nashville

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville impacts the local community by managing programs and partnerships in the areas of education, financial stability and health in order to create pathways to success and stability. United Way Family Resource Centers, United Way Read to Succeed, the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, the United Way 2-1-1 Helpline, and Outcome-Based Investments move people from dependence toward independence.