[Libs-Or] Dolly Parton Imagination Library

[BERGQUIST Greta E * SLO]

Hello folks,

Many of you have had a lot of questions about the recently highlighted Dolly Parton Imagination Library coming to more Oregon kids<https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/Pages/imagination-library.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery>. I wanted to share some information with you all after meeting with Department of Early Learning and Care staff who are working with the Dollywood Foundation to implement this public-private partnership.


  *   The Dollywood Foundation uses the term "local affiliate" to describe the local partner in your county who is responsible for signups and mailing books to kids. In many counties this is the United Way, the Early Learning Hub, and in some cases, a library Foundation or Friends group.
  *   In Oregon, every county currently has at least one local affiliate, but that local affiliate may not cover all zip codes in their county, so not every eligible kid is currently able to access this program. You can see what zip codes are covered in your county by using either of the "register my child" or "check availability" links on the webpage above.
  *   The recently passed funding from HB 1398 was directed to cover approximately half of each local affiliate's costs as of May 2024.
  *   The state directly pays the Dollywood Foundation, so local affiliates' costs should be lowered automatically.
  *   The funding is also covering two positions at Dollywood specific to Oregon: a State Director and an Outreach Coordinator. These positions will work to increase local affiliate options so more eligible kids can receive the service. They are currently in the hiring process and hope to have people starting in July.

What this means for your library:


  1.  If you have families coming to your library who wish to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, you can direct them to the Early Learning and Care page linked above or directly at the Dollywood Foundation<https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/>.
  2.  If families come into your library who live in a zip code without a local affiliate program, they can use the check availability link to enter their zip code. They will get a "currently unavailable in your area" message that invites them to continue by signing up for a new program alert. If they sign up, this helps the Dollywood Foundation on their end understand areas of highest need for new local affiliates, so it is helpful to encourage families to do this if they'd like to receive the program.
  3.  It sounds like the Oregon Dollywood positions will be filled by July, in which case, those folks are going to be helpful if you have further questions. In the meantime, if you have additional questions about the statewide expansion, please contact Rachel King at the Dollywood Foundation. Her e-mail is: rking at imaginationlibrary.com<mailto:rking at imaginationlibrary.com>


Best,
Greta

Greta Bergquist, MLIS, MAT (she/her/hers)
Youth Services Consultant
State Library of Oregon
greta.bergquist at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:greta.bergquist at slo.oregon.gov>  | 971-375-3549
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