Every month, 750 free books are sent to homes in Winkler.

It's the Imagination Library's major push to reverse high illiteracy rates in Winkler.

As a librarian at the Winkler Elementary School, Winkler Imagination Library Organizer Joyce Sawatzky says excitement surrounding literacy has grown since the program began.

The monthly book deliveries are not only growing children's personal libraries, but also helping parents as well.

Centennial Supply celebrated their first Trade Show with a customer barbeque lunch on April 6th. All proceeds from the barbeque went to the Imagination Library.

"We've been told by some parents that they are using the books to learn English," she says. "That's really exciting. We have a pretty high rate of illiteracy in our area so books into those homes is just paramount."

"It's the ability to put books in kids hands," she says.

Even in homes where the parents can't read, Sawatzky says children can still look at the pictures and talk about what they're seeing.

"Those children are already lightyears ahead when they come to Kindergarten," she says. "We've seen too many kids that come to Kindergarten and have never owned a book because they come from a history of illiteracy... that is our driving force behind the Winkler Imagination Library, we want to get books into the hands of kids."

Sawatzky notes research suggests the earlier children start looking at books, the better their chances of learning to read when they enter school.

The wait list is currently around three months.

However, costs are on-going to pay for postage for the growing number of book deliveries.

The latest fundraiser is the second annual A Little Bit of Country, a Little Bit of Rock'n Roll concert Friday, April 21st and Saturday April 22 at the P.W Enns Centennial Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Winkler Imagination Library was recently the recipient of an $852 donation from Centennial Supply.