First Lady Announces Launch of Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library in Franklin County

February 11, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine today announced the launch of the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library (OGIL) in Franklin County.

Any child from birth to age five can enroll to receive books from the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. After enrollment, children will begin receiving a new book each month, at no cost to their family.

“Early childhood literacy has so many proven positives in a child’s life, and that’s why I’m thrilled to bring the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library Program to Franklin County’s youngest children,” said First Lady Fran DeWine. “I hope all 83,000 eligible children -- from birth to age five -- in Franklin County will enroll to receive a free book every month.  Mike and I believe every child should enter kindergarten with a good, strong start.”

Research has shown that book ownership can be a predictor of future academic success. In fact, studies have found that children with just 25 books in their home were more likely to complete an additional two years of education. Inspired by Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine’s passion for early childhood literacy, the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to ensure that children enter the classroom ready to succeed.

“Nationwide Children’s Hospital is proud to be the Franklin County affiliate of the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s. “We know that children who develop an early relationship with books, and who begin kindergarten ready to learn, are one step further along the path to their full potential. We look forward to working with the Governor and the First Lady to make sure the Imagination Library has the greatest possible impact for Franklin County children.”

Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the generous support of AmeriHealth, Anthem, Inc., Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, HNTB Corporation, KeyBank, L Brands Foundation and Sedgwick.

The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is working to ensure children in all 88 of Ohio’s counties can enroll in the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library in 2020 by providing a dollar-for-dollar funding match with each county that opens OGIL to its residents. The Ohio General Assembly committed $5 million to OGIL in the state fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.

To learn more, visit OhioImaginationLibrary.org.

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