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Friends of the Library exploring countywide rollout of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; funding questioned
Summary
Friends of the Library held an extraordinary meeting to consider funding Dolly Parton's Imagination Library countywide; trustees were told initial per-child costs and projected participation would require new fundraising.
GUTHRIE, Okla. — The Friends of the Library and Guthrie Public Library staff said they are exploring a countywide launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library but flagged funding and participation as obstacles.
The Library Director told the board that the Friends called an emergency meeting to hear a presentation about starting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Logan County. The director said the program currently covers children in the Crescent School District through a local foundation but that much of the county remains uncovered. "They had an emergency meeting," the director said, "...they are still very interested in doing it."
Staff summarized preliminary cost estimates shared at the Friends’ meeting: program organizers indicated a per-child price of about $1.60 per month for local sponsorship while the state would cover remaining administrative costs, the director said. Using the director’s county under‑5 population estimate of about 2,639 children, staff gave an example showing that even modest participation would raise recurring costs: the director said a 10% participation rate could push local sponsorship toward roughly $12,000 annually, and that participation often increases in subsequent years.
Board members discussed fundraising options and outreach partners the director suggested contacting, including rural cooperatives and other regional funders. The director said she hopes the Friends of the Library will fundraise and that staff will follow up with potential partners next month.
The board did not take a formal vote during the meeting. Staff described the item as an exploratory funding discussion; any formal commitment or budget request would return to a future meeting for board consideration.
