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Roseburg library seeks Ford Family Foundation grant, steps up outreach for Imagination Library and fall programs
Summary
Library staff told the commission they plan to apply to the Ford Family Foundation for an early-literacy grant, highlighted lower-than-expected registrations for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and outlined upcoming exhibitions and children’s programming.
Library staff told the Roseburg City Library Commission they plan to apply for an early literacy grant to replace a broken early-literacy gaming station and to purchase a durable play kitchen and rotating activity elements.
Staff said the grant application will target funding from the Ford Family Foundation to provide a sturdy children’s activity station that can be refreshed with circulating materials. The replacement is intended to be more durable than the library’s former gaming unit, which broke and was judged too costly to duplicate.
Commissioners also discussed the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, noting that statewide funding has expanded the program but local registration levels remain below the program's internal targets. Staff asked commissioners to help with outreach to partner organizations — including Head Start programs and food banks — and to boost promotion on social media to increase sign-ups.
Why this matters: The Imagination Library provides mailed books to registered children and is used by local early-childhood partners. Staff said registration and email response rates have been lower than usual during recent outreach, and requested commission help to reach more families.
Staff also reviewed programming and events for the upcoming season: digital materials accounted for roughly 35% of checkouts in the recent quarter; a Deer Creek Room exhibition opens Nov. 7 with public programs to follow, including a University of Oregon speaker and a visiting author. The library will run makerspace open hours (Oct. 29), additional story times for 2–5 year olds, and a short-form program pilot for younger children.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the Ford Family Foundation grant application and report back; commissioners asked staff to intensify outreach for the Imagination Library and to report registration changes at the next meeting.
Staff and presenters named in the meeting included Aurora (services librarian), who outlined programming and the grant idea, and Chris Wiley, the library director.
