Sidney Mitchner has received a book each month since the Imagination Library was begun by the Marion County Literacy Council a year ago this month. Sidney's mother, Mary, reads to him regularly from the books.

Program at a Glance: Any Marion County child age 0-5 can enroll. Free age-appropriate book in the mail each month. Addressed to the child. Supported by private donations. $30 provides a book each month for a child over an entire year. Contact Marion County Literacy Council (870) 449-5459. The Importance of Early Reading: Approaching economy will offer fewer jobs for those with poor reading skills. Improve achievement later in life by starting early--even from birth--to build basic skills. Parents lay foundation for literacy by talking and reading daily to babies and toddlers. Key to successfully raising literacy levels: Strong pro-literacy crusade in community. More than 20 percent of Arkansas adults read at or below fifth-grade level. These adults often find it difficult or impossible to earn a living wage. Sources: U.S. Department of Education; Arkansas Literacy Council

Almost a fourth of Marion County children younger than 5 have now begun their own personal libraries. A donor-supported program begun a year ago by the Marion County Literacy Council offers a free book in the mail every month for any child younger than 5 in the county who enrolls.

The Council's "Literacy for the Littlest" service is the only program of its kind in Arkansas, according to Theresa Long, director of the statewide Arkansas Literacy Council.

Betsy Short, MCLC's director, said the service has as one of its core components the "Imagination Library." Its aim is simple: put books in the hands of youngsters early, so that by the time they reach school age, they are better able to learn. She said the Imagination Library service is for all children in the county, whether rich or poor, until they reach age 5.

Sidney Mitchner has received his book every month since the program began. "They come to me in the mail -- addressed to me," he says.

His mother, Mary, explained it is significant that the fact that the book comes addressed directly to her son. She says it is almost like a birthday every month. "He wants to read that book every night for a week after it comes. And I like the books, too, because they're really high-quality books," she said.

The program may be more important than commonly known, for several reasons. The National Center for Educational Statistics reports that reading performance of the lowest-performing students has declined over the past decade. The U.S. Department of Education says good reading skills are the path to success because the emerging economy will require people to be able to read very complex information in order to do their jobs.

And a 1998 study supported by the department found children develop much of their capacity to learn in the first three years of life. Thus, says the department, one of the most important things parents can do is to read to children early and often.

Local school officials echo this.

Randi Connier, principal at Yellville-Summit Elementary, said, "Education starts long before kids walk through the doors to the school. Parents are their first teachers. When they're little, they're picking up vocabulary and sounds that they need in order to learn to read later."

Curt Bryant is Flippin's Elementary Principal. He explains that parental reading is important to the children's learning. "Most kids don't love reading unless their parents establish a love for reading. And once they're in school, those who are comfortable with books have a much easier time with academic courses," he said.

Gary Phillips, volunteer treasurer of the MCLC, says at first the group was hesitant to start the service because they weren't sure they could maintain it. But, he says, Karen McQueary, a Vista volunteer almost three years ago, kept bringing the program before the board.

They decided to take the plunge, and, he says, "through donations and small grants, we've been able to keep adding kids."

The service has grown steadily over its first year.

According to Short, the council has placed enrollment forms at places frequented by new parents, including immunization clinics, libraries, and schools, and parents also can enroll their children at the Literacy Council's office.

Asked whether the council needs more donors or more children to serve, Short responded, "We need both."

She said they want to provide books for the other three-fourths of children younger than 5 in the county.

Because funds to support the program come from private donors, this means a need for additional community donations. So far, she said, such donations have increased to keep pace with growth in enrollment, meaning that every child who enrolls has been served.

According to Ron Shire, who chairs the council, a donation of $30 provides a child with an age-appropriate book each month for an entire year because of the partnership with the Imagination Library Foundation.

He said they have received two important corporate donations, but individual donations also have made a big difference. The council is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation, he said, meaning that donations are tax-deductible.

To enroll children in the Imagination Library or to make a donation to the service, call Marion County Literacy Council at (870) 449-5459.