A group that brings the Imagination Library to their county undertakes to register
children aged birth to five years, so those children may receive each month in the mail,
free-of-charge, an age appropriate book. After a child reaches five years of age, he or
she may no longer receive the books. The Little Engine that Could is the first book in
the series to be mailed and the last one is about kindergarten.
children aged birth to five years, so those children may receive each month in the mail,
free-of-charge, an age appropriate book. After a child reaches five years of age, he or
she may no longer receive the books. The Little Engine that Could is the first book in
the series to be mailed and the last one is about kindergarten.
What is the Imagination Library?
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
How did the Imagination Library begin?
In 1996 Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library for the children in Sevier County.
She sought to foster a love of reading among pre-schoolers.
In May 2004, Tennessee Governor Bredesen created the Governor’s Books from Birth
Foundation (GBBF) to serve as a catalyst and tangible resource to local leaders
seeking to establish their own countywide Imagination Library program. The Governor's
Books from Birth Foundation staff is charged with raising state-wide funds,
administering the Imagination Library state-wide, and providing support, training and
resources to county efforts. To assist in the county-wide efforts, the Governor obtained
funds from the Tennessee General Assembly to provide dollar-for-dollar matching
funds.
She sought to foster a love of reading among pre-schoolers.
In May 2004, Tennessee Governor Bredesen created the Governor’s Books from Birth
Foundation (GBBF) to serve as a catalyst and tangible resource to local leaders
seeking to establish their own countywide Imagination Library program. The Governor's
Books from Birth Foundation staff is charged with raising state-wide funds,
administering the Imagination Library state-wide, and providing support, training and
resources to county efforts. To assist in the county-wide efforts, the Governor obtained
funds from the Tennessee General Assembly to provide dollar-for-dollar matching
funds.
How does the Imagination Library operate in Sequatchie County?
The Sequatchie County Friends of the Library agreed to serve as the lead non-profit
organization in the County for the Imagination Library. Its members raised funding to
provide this service to children and its members visits schools, family fairs, and the
like to register children. All counties are eligible for funds from the GBBF, but any
organization sponsoring the program must provide a 50-50 funding match. At present
the cost of providing books to one child is $30 per year, so the Friends must provide
$15 for each child per year. According to the 2000 census, there are approximately
745 children in the relevant age bracket living in our county, and about 350 children are
presently registered to receive books.
organization in the County for the Imagination Library. Its members raised funding to
provide this service to children and its members visits schools, family fairs, and the
like to register children. All counties are eligible for funds from the GBBF, but any
organization sponsoring the program must provide a 50-50 funding match. At present
the cost of providing books to one child is $30 per year, so the Friends must provide
$15 for each child per year. According to the 2000 census, there are approximately
745 children in the relevant age bracket living in our county, and about 350 children are
presently registered to receive books.
Why bring the Imagination Library to Sequatchie County?
When the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation was established, statistics revealed
that thousands of Tennessee children are in desperate need of early education
resources. At that time thousands of children started kindergarten each year never
having owned or even seen a book:
35% of kindergarteners start school completely unprepared to learn; and
45% of Tennessee fourth graders read below grade level.
The program serves to encourage reading and improve school readiness. This
program is also a key selling point in attracting industry and points are given in the
Three Star Community program for implementing the Imagination Library.
that thousands of Tennessee children are in desperate need of early education
resources. At that time thousands of children started kindergarten each year never
having owned or even seen a book:
35% of kindergarteners start school completely unprepared to learn; and
45% of Tennessee fourth graders read below grade level.
The program serves to encourage reading and improve school readiness. This
program is also a key selling point in attracting industry and points are given in the
Three Star Community program for implementing the Imagination Library.
How can you help?
The most pressing need is for funding to continue this program. The Sequatchie County
Friends of the Library, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization allowing it to be eligible as the
local lead sponsor. Donations to fund the Imagination Library are tax deductible.
Please pledge to sponsor at least one child’s books each year.
Friends of the Library, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization allowing it to be eligible as the
local lead sponsor. Donations to fund the Imagination Library are tax deductible.
Please pledge to sponsor at least one child’s books each year.
| During the September 2007 Imagination Library Week in Tennessee Celebration children enjoyed a magician, face painting, and many other activities. Local students, Friends volunteers, and the library's generous business contributors were all a big help. |
