New DPIL Registrations to Cease Feb. 1

After seven years of county-wide open enrollment for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), Columbus County Partnership for Children (CCPC) will close new registrations as of Feb. 1, 2025.
 
This was a difficult decision, and we understand how it may affect families hoping to sign up. Rest assured, children already enrolled in DPIL by Feb. 1 will continue to receive one high-quality, age-appropriate book every month, delivered directly to their home, until their fifth birthday.
 
The success of our state-funded DPIL program has been extraordinary, but the success has also led us to reach funding capacity. The Smart Start Network is actively working to secure additional public and private funding to ensure DPIL continues to serve children in every North Carolina community. With increased support, we are hopeful that registration for DPIL in Columbus County will reopen, allowing us to reach even more children and families.
 
Since its inception, DPIL has been a cornerstone of early literacy in our community, delivering free books to children from birth to age five. The program’s impact has been remarkable: families participating in DPIL report an increase in daily reading with their children from 45% to 67%.
 
We remain deeply committed to providing children in Columbus County with the early literacy resources they deserve. Here’s how you can stay involved and help support DPIL:
1. Follow Us for DPIL Updates. Stay connected with us on social media and through our website for updates on DPIL enrollment and other early literacy initiatives.
2. Share Your DPIL Story. If your family has participated in DPIL, consider sharing your story with us! You can do so by emailing gloria.riddick@columbussmartstart.org. Personal testimonials help demonstrate the program's value and can lead to increased funding.
3. Continue reading with your young child. And, as always, please continue to read with your little one! You can still gain access to free books by visiting CCPC’s Early Learning & Family Resource Center (ELF), which has books and learning resources available for check-out, or by visiting your local library.
 
We are so grateful for your continued support as we work to expand the reach of DPIL. Together, we can ensure that more children in North Carolina grow up with a love of reading and the tools they need for future success.
 
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 910-642-8226.
 
For additional information about Columbus County Partnership for Children, call 910-642-8226. Visit the office at 109 W. Main St. in Whiteville or online at www.columbussmartstart.com. “Like” ColumbusSmartStart on Facebook.