Arkansas Imagination library
HOW IT WORKSHOW IT WORKS
The statewide program, Arkansas Imagination Library’s, works with the national program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, as well as local nonprofit organizations in each county across the state, to ensure all books remain at no cost to families.
By working alongside the Dollywood Foundation and our Local Program Partners, Arkansas Imagination Library is able to maximize our impact on Arkansas’ children through strategic resource allocation.
Since 1995, the Dollywood Foundation has been the backbone of this literacy program. The national program has many roles, including the coordination of the yearly Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, monthly book production, fulfillment, as well as managing the shipment processing center. Their continued support makes it cost effective for Arkansas Imagination Library and our Local Program Partners to currently provide books to over 83,000+ children.
Arkansas Imagination Library provides a strategic layer of support to our statewide program. As a 501(c)(3), Arkansas’ statewide program is responsible for fostoring growth, development, and sustainability in all 75 counties. Matching funding, key partnerships, training opportunities, and marketing tools provided by the state team has allowed for our rapid enrollment growth.
The key to our success is our Local Program Partners. These 47 agencies are 501(c)(3) organizations who actively promote, fundraise, and manage the program on a day-to-day basis.
Although books are free to families, they are not free to the community. Each book is $2.20. Each Local Program Partner pays 50% of each book each month in their assigned county or counties, totaling $1.10. The statewide team provides a 50% match, which ensures the program is at no cost to all Arkansas families.
By providing books at no cost to families, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading among families and communities of Arkansas.