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Athens officials hear request to fund Imagination Library; city cost estimated at about $10,000 a year
Summary
The Athens County Public Libraries requested $10,000 annually from Athens City to cover local costs for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after the state’s current half‑funding ends in 2027; library and community speakers described enrollment, costs and outreach mechanisms.
Nick Tepe, director of Athens County Public Libraries, told the Athens City Council finance committee on Sept. 8 that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library enrolls children ages 0–5 and mails an age‑appropriate book monthly to each enrolled child. Tepe said the program costs Athens County $47,534.12 in 2024, with the state covering half; the local share that year was $23,737.21. Tepe said 1,684 children were enrolled in Athens County and that about 319 of those enrolled children live inside the city ZIP code 45701. “If the city was willing to give $10,000 every single year to the Imagination Library, that should cover the cost of Athens City children's participation in the Imagination Library well into the future,” Tepe said.
The request came during a regularly scheduled Finance and Personnel Committee meeting chaired by Council member McCary. Mayor Patterson said he supports the program and that “it was a great way to get books in the hands of not just children but newborns.” He told the committee he intends to propose funding in the city budget while he is mayor and that council would formally approve any appropriation when the budget is considered.
Library officials described program mechanics and recent enrollment and cost figures: Tepe said the program mailed 21,509 books in 2024 and that the statewide arrangement currently covers half of local costs through the biennium ending June 2027. He also said a new checkbox on the Ohio birth worksheet will automatically enroll consenting parents into the Imagination Library, a change he expects to increase enrollments.
Members of the public and council offered support during public comment. Council member Alan Swank, speaking as a private citizen, urged council to consider a recurring appropriation and noted personal observations about access to books in low‑income homes. Committee member Beth (identified in the transcript as Member Klotfelter) asked about evidence linking Imagination Library participation to school readiness; Tepe said the state has done evaluations and he would forward relevant materials to council.
No formal appropriation or vote was taken at the committee meeting. The item will move into regular council consideration if the administration or a council member places a funding ordinance on an upcoming agenda or includes the request in the 2026 budget process. Mayor Patterson said he plans to propose the amount in the city budget going forward.
