Jean Glotzbach, Coordinator of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, was spending time with her grandkids, Luke, Grace, and Lucy when Ashley Bice delivered $500 from Santa.
Santa decided his last stop this year would be for the children. He presented the final $500 grant to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
Jean Glotzbach brought Imagination Library to life in our community in July 2007. Originally started by Dolly Parton in her home county in Tennessee in 1996, Imagination Library provides free books to children from birth to age 5. The program is open to all Benton County residents; each child enrolled receives one free book every month in the mail. The books are their's to keep! Jean explained to Santa, "Dolly started the program to promote early literacy in young children. Children who are read to on a regular basis are children who love to read!"
Benton County's program has served over 400 children in the last four years. There are currently 265 children receiving the books each month. "The funding from this program comes from the good people and organizations in Benton County. Our monthly bill is $525 or more", wrote Glotzbach. "I have had letters from parents that tell me how excited their little one is when the new books come in the mailbox. Parents also tell me how much they enjoy reading these special books to their child or children."
Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in this program may pick-up a registration form at any Benton County Public library or they may call Jean at 765.884.0541. The only requirements is that they live in Benton County and are under the age of 5.
Benton Community Foundation would like to thank everyone who wrote to Santa this year in the Letters 2 Santa promotion. We received over 40 letters for many excellent organizations making great things happen in our community. All applicants are encouraged to watch the Foundation website for additional funding opportunities in 2012. On behalf of Santa....Merry Christmas!!Posted December 23rd, 2011
Ashley Bice, Executive Director, presents $500 to Otterbein Public Library Director Sarah Atchison.
Santa knows all the fun does not happen at Christmas time...that is why he stopped at the Otterbein Public Library today to give staff $500 for the Summer Reading Program.
Summer Reading Programs are a valuable part of every town in our community. This past summer, the Otterbein Library entertained 515 people during their 8-week program. Sarah Atchison, Director of the Library, explained to Santa, "Each year we are able to do more and more for our community by providing quality summer reading events that give our families, children, elderly, and community members of all ages a chance to experience things not often available in our area and to promote literacy and reading for enjoyment. We have had side shows, symphonies, ten foot tall puppets, magicians, storytellers, ghost hunters, candy makers, and many other groups come to our Library to educate and entertain our patrons. Not to mention thousands of books read as a result!"
An increase in community participation, a stagnant budget, and a decrease in donations are making it difficult for the Library to maintain the Summer Reading Program. "Our staff tries to be very creative in how we use our funds to make the budget cover quality materials and speakers. However, we hope to increase our program attendance each year. Our current funding will not reach to include all we hope to offer our community in 2012."
Santa and Benton Community Foundation are pleased to help the Library provide these new experiences to our community and encourage a life-long love of learning. Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see where Santa's final stop will be in Benton County before he goes back to the North Pole to prepare for the big night!
