Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends free books to children from birth until age 5.
The Kentucky Senate’s proposed two-year budget keeps the full $2.5 million for the Imagination Library program, but a change in how funds are distributed has raised concerns among directors.
Since 2021, the state has covered half the cost of book orders by matching what local branches spend. The new proposal would reduce the state’s share to 33%, requiring local branches to cover the remaining costs.
The change would affect both rural and urban communities. Maria Gurren, director of Louisville’s branch, said it currently serves about 21,000 children under age five. Before the state match began in 2021, only 2,000 children were enrolled.
“We already work really hard to fundraise so that we can continue growing right now, and at our current operations and current fundraising levels, we would be looking at shutting our doors by May of next year,” she said.
Holly Daugherty, director of McCreary County’s branch, said programs like hers are already working hard to increase enrollment and funding. Her branch serves around 700 children.
“I honestly don’t know where else we will find the funding, especially from such a rural platform here in McCreary County,” she said. “We have our community businesses and stuff that are helping, but they can only help so much because we are on such a rural platform.”
Meanwhile, a resolution directing the Department for Libraries and Archives and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to find ways to increase program enrollment is moving through the state legislature. It would also require a report with recommendations by November.
The resolution advanced to the House floor from the Committee on Families and Children Thursday after passing the Senate last week.
“This is an invitation to collaborate and to think creatively, and then to come back to us as the General Assembly and let us know what needs to happen for us to further promote and support that important work,” said Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville), the resolution’s sponsor.
The measure has received bipartisan support. Sen. Michael Nemes (R-Shepherdsville) briefly introduced an amendment that would have removed the program’s funding but later withdrew it. He now supports the legislation after discussions with Armstrong.
“I think there was perhaps a misperception that this wasn’t work that they were already doing, but in fact, they’re doing this work really well,” Armstrong said. “They work with family resource centers, they work with churches, they work with nonprofits, they work with libraries.”
House and Senate members will continue discussing their versions of the budget in committee. Once they reach an agreement on the final draft, lawmakers will send it to the governor for approval.
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