Statements
Mission
The Putnam County Imagination Library provides high-quality, age-appropriate books once a month to children from birth to age 5, regardless of their ability to pay. Through the efforts of our volunteers and supporters, 3,200 Putnam County children receive books each month, paving the way to increased literacy for our next generation.
Background
In 1995 Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in her home town of Sevierville, TN. The purpose was to get quality, age appropriate books into the hands of parents whose children were birth through age 5, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2004 The Imagination Library launched a statewide campaign urging other counties to join forces. Putnam County leaders began working in the fall and by March 1st, 2005 The Putnam County Imagination Library began taking applications. The first books were mailed out in June of 2005. As of July 2018, we have mailed out 375,075 books to Putnam County children!
Impact
Research has shown that the human brain develops more rapidly between birth and age five than during any other period. Reading to a child during this time is imperative. It stimulates positive brain patterns, promotes family engagement and broadens a child's vocabulary. The Putnam County Imagination Library has led the state in enrolling eligible children. We currently serve over 3,200 children. We are a group of 13 volunteers who know that $12.00 provides a child a book a month for a year. Therefore, we are very frugal. Other than the occasional necessary bank fee we have spent $137 on a fundraiser in 13 years. Every other dollar has gone to purchase books and postage. We have had the opportunity to speak to several groups, had a few newspaper articles and started a Facebook page. We have been actively trying to find fundraisers, sponsors, grants and donations. We are trying to educate the public that although no child is asked to pay for the books, they are not free, and donations are appreciated. We are also trying to re-iterate that education is the key to a better life. For some it can break the cycle of poverty. What greater gift could we give these children?
Needs
Our biggest need is money. Every month children are being added and children are aging out of the program, so the numbers are constantly changing, but the July book bill was $3,244.19. If you multiply that by 12 months it comes to $38,930.28 annually that we have to raise, and the numbers could be much higher by years end. The Governor's Books from Birth Foundation provides us with a certain amount of enrollment brochures. Any copies, postage or materials we need, we pay for from our own pockets and consider it a donation to the program. Kim Decker, our Data Clerk, recently bought a life size Dolly Parton stand up for us to use at events. (Thank you, Kim!) We try not to spend money on anything other than books, so we don't have that many needs. We need help paying for the books, whether it be in the form of donations or through a fundraiser.
CEO Statement
When our organization was started it was initiated by city leaders and the library staff took care of operations. According to an article written by County Executive Kim Blaylock, published on Dec.12th 2004, the cost to supply books to a child would be $27 a year. Today, 13 years later, the cost is $24. The article also said the amount needed to fund the program locally would be $37,000.00 annually, split equally by Putnam County and the city of Cookeville. Eventually they used the 2010 census and asked Baxter, Algood and Monterey to donate according to the 0-5 population. Today, if all municipalities donate we receive $28,300.00. As Putnam County's population grows, we've seen a huge jump in enrollment, but less funding. We are doing all we can to make up for these losses, but it's not easy. More and more we are competing for funds with things like summer food programs. Let's be honest. Given the choice we are all going to feed that child. But we really need to be looking at the big picture also. One day I was a little overwhelmed. It seemed everywhere I went I was asked to give. Give to provide food, give for school supplies, give to pay utilities, give for training, give clothes, give coats and shoes and gas and the list goes on?. I was overwhelmed. I want to help all of them, but I have children of my own who need school supplies, clothes...braces.. I only had so much to give. I was feeling really down and knew there had to be a way to help these families break the cycle that had put them in such need. Then it hit me. We educate them. We give those children the same opportunities for growth we give our own. We need to see to it that those children are fed and have warm clothes to wear, but we don't need to forget to feed their minds. Education IS the key to ending poverty. Study after study shows the importance of having books in the home and reading to young children. 80% of a child's brain architecture is wired by age 3. Unused synapses start to be "pruned" away and lost. Missing this window of opportunity will take years to make up once the child is in school. A family who can't feed their child doesn't buy books, a family with no running water doesn't have tv, much less the internet. Their parents often don't have gas to get to the library. These children do not get the exposure to vocabulary that our children do. But we can change that. One dollar provides a book for a child. $12 provides that child with a book a month for an entire year! Invest in these children and change their future for the better!
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Education N.E.C. |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
We serve all of Putnam County, Tennessee. This includes Algood, Baxter, Bloomington Springs, Buffalo Valley, Cookeville, Monterey, Silver Point and many smaller communities located within the county boarders.
| TN - Putnam |
