MT. VERNON (WMIX) – A Mt. Vernon medical center has partnered with United Way of South Central Illinois to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to the area.

Asbery & Associates will become a sign-up spot for parents to join Parton’s library.

The program gives free stories to children between birth and five years of age in hopes of establishing a love of reading and learning early on.

The program is expected to close the achievement gap around Southern Illinois.