CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Amid concerns that funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is not included in the proposed state budget, the governor’s office has announced an effort to continue the program in Indiana.
According to the Indiana General Assembly’s website, an amendment was filed to the budget bill HB1001 that would have renewed funding for the program, but that amendment failed.
The Imagination Library program provides families with children ages birth to five the opportunity to register to have a free book mailed to them every month.
Brazil Public Library Director Sarah Trover said the program provides books to families with children who wouldn’t have access to books otherwise.
“They don’t have to worry about transportation because it’s sent right to them. There’s no monetary pull from parents from other things that they need, so it’s just a really great service. And, if we want kids to be able to read by third grade, we have to be able to start it early,” said Trover.
The United Way of the Wabash Valley administers the program in Clay and Vigo Counties. Interim Executive Director Dorothy Chambers said over 2,700 children are signed up in Vigo County and about 300 children are signed up in Clay County.
“When we invest in literacy programs and other foundation-building programs early on, that means that we won’t have to put as much money toward later remediation and it’s this later remediation that is often paid for by state funds. So, if we can rally around our children early on, it pays not only for our community, but also for our children,” said Chambers.
By Friday afternoon, after WTWO/WAWV had interviewed Trover and Chambers about the funding concerns, an announcement was made by Indiana Governor Mike Braun that First Lady Maureen Braun will spearhead an initiative to keep the program in Indiana. Governor Braun says First Lady Braun will work with philanthropic partners and in consultation with state leadership to identify funding opportunities for the program.
“I am honored to lead this work to help ensure our youngest Hoosiers have as much exposure as possible to books and learning,” said First Lady Braun. “Indiana has many strong community partners and I am confident we will collaborate on a solution that grows children’s love of reading.”
In a news release from the governor’s office, President of the Dollywood Foundation Jeff Conyers said, “I deeply appreciate Governor Braun’s commitment to early childhood literacy and the leadership of First Lady Maureen Braun in championing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Imagination Library brings the joy of reading to over 125,000 Hoosier children each month in all 92 counties across the state, and we are encouraged by Governor and First Lady Braun’s support to ensure its future in Indiana. We look forward to working with the Governor and First Lady, state leaders, and Local Program Partners to keep books in the hands of Indiana’s youngest learners and strengthen this foundation for a lifetime of success.”
