Program Stories
Ten Years of Transforming Lives Through Reading
Posted
Since 2015, BASIC’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library has mailed more than 5,000 books to Borrego Springs children. Laid end to end, they would outstretch the Galleta Meadows serpent.
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass’s words remind us of the transformative power of literacy. For the past ten years, BASIC’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library has embodied that spirit, serving as a beacon of hope for early literacy in Borrego Springs. The dedication of our community has brought high-quality books into the hands of our youngest learners, sparking a lifelong love of reading and creating opportunities for a brighter future.
Here in San Diego County, BASIC’s program has been a pioneering force. Until a few years ago, ours was the only Imagination Library in the entire county. Since then other communities have joined, including San Diego and Julian. Yes, the Imagination Library was in Borrego even before San Diego, which now hosts over 1,300 children annually.
Ten years, in numbers
- 239
- Borrego children supported since 2015
- 5,243
- Books delivered, over 437 feet end to end
- 89
- Children enrolled as of March 2025
- 1 : 2
- Books to eligible children, against a national average of 1 : 7
A community that signs up
As of March 2025, 89 children are enrolled in BASIC’s Imagination Library, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support of our state. Nationally, the average is one subscription for every seven eligible children. BASIC stands out with a ratio of one for every two, a testament to our community’s engagement and dedication to early literacy.
Since July 2023 the State of California covers half of our monthly bills, thanks to Assembly Bill 1183, which passed in 2022 with overwhelming support. That legislation established the Statewide Imagination Library Program, committing matching funds to support the 2.3 million children across California. With such backing, BASIC has been able to broaden its impact significantly.
To further ensure equitable access, the program began offering bilingual English and Spanish books as an option for families on June 10, 2024. Parents now choose between all-English or bilingual books for their children, and a two-to-one majority prefer bilingual. It is one more way of serving every family in Borrego Springs, especially our Spanish-speaking community, by building in-home libraries and promoting a love of reading.
What ten years cost, and what it bought
Since the program’s inception in 2015, BASIC has supported 239 children and delivered over 5,243 books, enough to stretch over 437 feet when placed end to end, surpassing the length of Borrego’s iconic Serpent Sculpture at Galleta Meadows. Through hard work, perseverance, and community support, BASIC has invested over $11,000 in the Imagination Library right here in Borrego Springs. Each child’s yearly subscription costs approximately $32.10, totaling around 340 child-years of support for our little Borregans.
Behind these numbers are inspiring stories like that of baby Dylan. His mom, Leyssa, shared how the books provided by the program ignited his imagination and fueled his deep love for reading, especially books about dinosaurs and his favorite character, Godzilla. Today, Dylan continues his literacy journey through BASIC’s Latino Family Literacy Project, where every child aged 0 to 5 is also enrolled in the Imagination Library, building in-home libraries and fostering early literacy in Borrego.
Dylan’s story is just one of many. The books, carefully selected to suit each child’s age and developmental stage, begin with the classic The Little Engine That Could. That book holds profound significance for Dolly Parton, whose own journey out of East Tennessee was carried by its mantra, “I think I can.” As children approach the next chapter of their lives and graduate at age five, they receive as their final book So Now You Are Going to Kindergarten. In between come titles like Llama Llama Hide & Seek, Cinderella, with Dogs!, and How to Get Your Octopus to School. Each year about a quarter of the program’s books are updated, so the content stays fresh as children grow.
Can you feel the ripple effect? A single book creating a lifelong reader, a curious learner, and ultimately a brighter future.
Let us carry this mission forward with unwavering dedication, supporting and nurturing the next generation of readers and dreamers. Hold onto the image of baby Dylan, his eyes lighting up each time a new book arrived at his home, and remember that the same joy is within reach for so many others. The future of our community lies in the hands of these young readers, so let’s continue to give them the tools to write not only their own stories but a better story for us all.
Celebrate the joy of reading
- Read together
- Set aside time to read with your children or young relatives. Even 15 minutes a day fosters a love of books.
- Host a book exchange
- Organise a community event where families share gently used books to build diverse home libraries.
- Volunteer
- Support local literacy programs or libraries by reading to children or helping with events.
- Donate
- Sponsor a child’s subscription for just $32.10 a year and help deliver books to their doorstep.
- Spread the word
- We estimate that about 80 more eligible children in Borrego Springs could benefit. Share this with friends, family, and neighbors so every child can experience the joy of reading. For enrollment, call (442) 358-6518 or write to contactus@borregobasic99.wpenginepowered.com.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community donors and volunteers, the California State Library, the Dr. Seuss Foundation, San Diego Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Linda Stanley for their continued support and partnership. Thank you for being part of this remarkable ten-year journey. A recording of our Imagination Library webinar is on BASIC’s YouTube channel.
Together, we are turning the page on brighter futures
Sponsor a child’s year of books online, or mail a check to BASIC, PO Box 1914, Borrego Springs CA 92004.
Sponsor a reader