CULLMAN, Ala. – Since its initial kick-off on Aug. 6, Cullman’s Imagination Library has seen unbelievable success. The primary partners in bringing the Imagination Library to Cullman were the Friends of the Public Library, Cullman Electric Cooperative and Cullman County Public Library.
After speaking with Cullman Electric Cooperative’s Communication Specialist Oakleigh Calahan, Cullman County Public Library Director Sharon Townsend and Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County President Tanya Allcorn, they revealed that the measure of this success has been surprising and all are incredibly grateful to be involved.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program is considered successful by registering 60% of the eligible children aged 0-5 registered within five years. Cullman County has a total eligible population of 6,000 children aged 0-5, with 60% being 3,600 of those children. Within the first five hours that Dolly Parton Imagination Library was active in Cullman County, the registration goal for the entire first year was reached with 652 children aged 0-5 registered.
Brian Lacy with the Cullman Electric Cooperative previously told the Tribune ,“Once a child signs up, every single month from the time that they are born to when they turn 5 years old, they will get a book in the mail every month, and it is completely free to the family. The cost is about $25 per year, so it is like $2.10 a month, so that’s where we have been working on getting corporate donations.”
Calahan shared that by October, the estimated number of registered children aged 0-5 is projected to be 1,800, which will be 30% of the population of eligible children in the county. This also means that while the Imagination Library was not predicted to hit 30% registration of the eligible population until over a year-and-a-half into the program, if the rate continues to rise, that goal will be reached after just two months.
Donations from corporations, community groups and individuals will continue to make the Imagination Library possible. By signing up as a sponsor, businesses and community groups alike help ensure this program can continue to thrive in Cullman County.
With varying sponsorship levels and commitments, there are options available for everyone. To become a sponsor of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, businesses may contact Tanya Allcorn at friendsofcullmanlibraries@gmail.com or Oakleigh Calahan at oakleighc@cullmanec.com. Individual sponsorships can also be made online at https://ccimaginationlibrary.com/give/.
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