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Dolly Parton Imagination Library reaches more than 1,000 children; organizers warn of state funding uncertainty
Summary
Program lead Pat Hanley told supervisors that 1,008 children in Louisa County are enrolled and the program has mailed 18,083 books since October 2023; organizers said the state covers half of per-book postage costs but expressed concern about long-term state funding and described local fundraising and outreach.
Pat Hanley, coordinator for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Louisa County, told the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 2 that the locally run program has enrolled 1,008 children and mailed 18,083 books to county children since its first mailings in October 2023.
Hanley said 976 books were scheduled for mailing that month and that 354 children had “graduated” from the program after turning 5. He said the program’s monthly postage bill is about $2,300; the state of Virginia pays half and the Louisa County Rotary Foundation and local fundraising cover the balance. Hanley said the county program’s five-year enrollment goal is to reach 1,500 children per month (about 70% of the county’s estimated 2,100 children under age 5).
Hanley described fundraising and local partners: Amazon Web Services donated $10,000 to the program, the Cook Foundation gave $4,000, and a local gala and golf tournament organized by Heritage Cares will return proceeds to the program; last year that event raised $9,872. He credited volunteers and library staff—naming Jolene Bullock as a key outreach leader—and noted that Louisa County Public Schools and other community groups help with signups, including at kindergarten enrollment events. Emma Ryan, a local high-school student, recently joined the team and will organize monthly birthday parties at the library to give children library cards.
Hanley told the board he is concerned about the continuity of state matching funds. He said state funding has been approved for the fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 but expressed uncertainty about future growth funding as the program expands; he urged continued county support and local fundraising. A supervisor suggested connecting Hanley with legislators and the Virginia Literacy Act review process. Hanley also requested that board and staff share the program’s QR-code signup widely; he said 98% of new enrollments come through that code.
No formal vote or budget action occurred at the Sept. 2 meeting on the program. Supervisors and staff encouraged Hanley to continue fundraising and coordination with county staff and legislators.
Hanley’s full update, including a list of monthly book titles and committee members, was provided to the board in the meeting packet.
