Funds Needed to Support Imagination Library
Since 2017, Smart Start and the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) have partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to provide free, high-quality books to young children across North Carolina, delivering over 21 million books to children. Just last year, over 25,000 books were mailed to Wilkes County children age birth to five years through DPIL’s partnership with Wilkes Community Partnership for Children (WCPC), the local Smart Start agency.
WCPC learned that state funding has reached its capacity, and as a result, there are no funds to support new child enrollments in Wilkes County for DPIL. This means that babies being born in Wilkes County or families moving to the county with young children cannot enroll unless WCPC provides funding to support the program.
“Early literacy is so critical for lifelong development,” said Amy Cubbage, NCPC President. “Smart Start Local Partnerships know the importance of increasing access to books in the homes of our families with young children, and many have been able to keep enrollment open for families in their communities through additional private funding.”
Smart Start has administered DPIL with a combination of public and private funds, enabling the delivery of books to approximately 300,000 children statewide. This has been possible in large part through $7 million annually as well as $1.5 million in nonrecurring funding allocated for the FY2023-2025 biennium by the North Carolina General Assembly. However, to maintain DPIL enrollment in Wilkes County, an increase in investments is needed.
While the General Assembly continues to support DPIL and has committed to providing books for all currently enrolled children until their fifth birthday, additional funding is needed to allow new registrations. Smart Start and Local Partnerships are actively working to secure the resources needed to sustain and expand access to DPIL. Senator Ralph Hise has filed a bill to maintain the $1.5 million nonrecurring increase in the current biennium through recurring funding beginning in the next fiscal year.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of the NC General Assembly,” said Cubbage. “Since 2017, their dedication has ensured that DPIL is available in every community across North Carolina. However, additional investments are essential. To serve 50% of the state’s eligible children, we need approximately $3 million more each year beyond our current $7 million. A recurring $1.5 million investment would bring us one step closer to that goal.”
Wilkes Community Partnership for Children is actively searching for additional funding for DPIL to continue serving children in Wilkes County. Our community can help keep this program going by making a donation to WCPC. The cost to provide a child with a book every month from birth to age five through DPIL is $31.20 per year. All donations made to WCPC are tax deductible. Donations may be made by mail to WCPC PO Box 788 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Online donations can be made by clicking on this link. Be sure to write DPIL in the donation notes line (this area appears on the second screen after you enter the donation amount). For additional questions, please reach out to the WCPC office.