YELL COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY CHAMPIONS
The Yell County Imagination Library is looking for champions! Champions are community-minded individuals and organizations interested in sustaining the program in Yell County.
Since our launch in 2018, more than 1,200 children have received more than 30,000 books! Wondering who paid for those books? Local donors! That's right, the community must cover the cost of books & postage. That's where you (or your organization) come in. We need your help to resume registering children in Yell County.
We would love to see you at this informational meeting and brainstorming session in Dardanelle. The frequently asked questions below will help you become informed of where we are and what we need to keep delivering this program in Yell County.
Meeting Details: Dardanelle Library, 11:30 am-1:00 pm; refreshments will be provided.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to us! 479-968-5089.
FAQ
What is the Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton established Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to instill a love of reading in children worldwide. Each child who participates receives one free, age-appropriate book through the mail each month until they turn five. After registering, the first book, “The Little Engine That Could,” will take six to nine weeks to arrive in the mail.
Who is eligible to participate?
All children from birth through age four years and nine months residing in Yell County are eligible to participate in the Imagination Library program. Children turning five within three months are not eligible because it takes up to 90 days before the first book arrives. There is no income requirement to participate in the Imagination Library.
Is Imagination Library really free?
There is no cost to families to participate in the Imagination Library. Funding comes from local donors.
Who pays the program costs?
Donations pay for the cost of books & postage. Administrative costs are shared by River Valley United Way and the DollyWood Foundation.
How can champions help?
We have found that most people think Dolly covers the cost of books & postage. We believe it's due to that misconception that we have had very little community financial support for the program. Champions can help educate, promote, and open doors for financial support of the program. They can also assist with events & fundraisers.
What is the current program status?
Registration for Yell County has been paused since October 2022 due to a lack of funding. This tough decision was made to preserve funds available to continue mailing books to registered children.
River Valley United Way awarded grant funding for 2024 in the amount of $7,500. The Arkansas Imagination Library awarded a matching grant to River Valley United Way. These generous gifts are sufficient to continue delivering books monthly to 600 children for 12 months. To register additional children, we must secure additional funds.
How much money do we need to resume registration?
The annual cost per child is $25. The total cost per child for five years is $125. To open up registration for an additional 100 children, the annual cost is $2,500. The cost for 100 children for five years is $12,500.
