Imagination Library seeks local support

By Josh Hayes / jhayes@crossville-chronicle.com

Ever heard of a good problem? The folks with the Imagination Library in Cumberland County have.

The program began in the county in May 2005. In June 2005, the program was able to send out 123 books to children eligible for the program. In December 2007, 1,426 books were mailed, reaching 56 percent of children eligible in Cumberland County. Since the program came into the community, the Imagination Library has mailed 32,959 books to children registered with the program.

According to Julie Shanks of the Imagination Library, that's a larger portion than was anticipated at this point. She said she thought enrollment would have been around 40 percent.

That's why Shanks says the Imagination Library needs the support of anyone willing in the community in order for the program to continue reaching children at the same level. Thus far, the amount of children reached monthly has only increased since the program came into Cumberland County.

The Imagination Library is available to children from birth to age 5 at no cost to the family. Each book is hardcover and is selected by a panel to suit the child's stage of development.

Reaching children in 47 states, with the recent addition of Canada and Great Britain, the Imagination Library has given away 4.5 million books and has had 420,000 children enrolled in the program.

The Imagination Library first came about through Dolly Parton. Parton became motivated by the fact that, despite her father being the smartest man she said she ever knew, he was illiterate. Parton wondered about her father's potential had he been able to read.

Once Parton became successful, she grew interested in making a difference in children's lives in her hometown of Sevierville, no matter their family's income. In 1996, she established the Imagination Library for the children of Sevier County. There, the Dollywood Foundation funds the program at 100 percent. Cumberland County, however, counts on 50 percent of its support coming from local donors.

When Phil Bredesen's Governor's Books from Birth Foundation launched in 2004, Tennessee counties were given state assistance in developing their own Imagination Library programs. Through the program, the state covers 50 percent of each county's book order. According to Shanks, $30 will sponsor a child for one year.

The Tennessee Board of Regents has conducted research showing the program to be effective. In a 2003 study, it was shown that parents of children in the program increased in their time spent reading with their children, became more aware of the reading level and ability of their children, and their children grew more interested in books.

In the spring, the Department of Education gave forms to school districts to hand out during kindergarten registration that asked parents to report if their child participated in the Imagination Library and for how long. The information is said to help in tracking student progress in TCAP scores and in other means of assessment.

Initial results from a pilot survey given to kindergarten teachers in four counties where the program has been going on the longest show the Imagination Library to be an effective endeavor. Children in 724 classrooms showed themselves to be more prepared for school than children who had not been involved with the program.

Local sponsors of the program include the City of Crossville, the Cumberland County Commission, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Middle Tennessee Gas, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, L.P. Shanks Company, the Crossville Exchange Club, the Lake Tansi Exchange Club and many other individuals.

The Imagination Library requests the help of anyone in sending books to children, whether business, group or individual. Shanks said every dime donated goes toward books and not to any aside costs. She also gave thanks to the community for their participation in the project.

To make a donation to the Imagination Library, contact James Houston, deputy director of the Art Circle Public Library, at 484-6790. More information on the program can be found by logging onto www.artcircle.crossville.com and then clicking on the Imagination Library link. There, parents can also register to enroll their children in the program.

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