'Imagination Library' program supporting early childhood education in Spokane facing funding cuts
KREM sat down with our own Dan Dent to talk about the future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Washington - and why funding cuts could leave thousands of children without access to early literacy.
Catch the full interview and learn how you can help keep the pages turning
'Imagination Library' program - facing funding cuts
"SPOKANE, Wash. — United Way of Spokane County works to support the littlest learners in the county through a free children's library program. But now, the organization is facing potential funding cuts as it fights for a fraction of the state's budget.
“I’ve never met anybody who could argue with the power of putting a book into a child’s hands," said Daniel Dent, the CEO of United Way of Spokane County.
United Way of Spokane County partners with the international program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, to deliver one book a month for free to children from birth until they enter kindergarten. Dent says that in the nearly three years of the program, it has helped around 15,000 children and provided more than 200,000 books.
Dent says right now, United Way sends stories to around 10,000 kids every month. The state covers half the cost of the program, so United Way pays just under $2 per book. But Dent says that funding hasn't been secured in the state's upcoming budget.
“If the state funding doesn’t happen, and that ends at the end of June, we’d be faced with doubling the cost," said Dent. "It would be this real, tangible, I believe, negative impact to right now about 10,000 kids across the county.”
United Way offices all across Washington face the same troubling narrative. An anonymous survey showed caregivers in Spokane County told United Way that their program inspired joy for reading, increased vocabulary, and some parents said it strengthened their bond to read with their child.
“Books in the hands of kids and that engagement in learning at a really early age helps them get the best possible start in early learning," said Dent.
Dent says lawmakers in Olympia could set aside between $1-2 million for the 49 Imagination Library programs statewide, but he worries it won't be enough to maintain the programming.
“But when working off of $7.3 million fund afforded to us last time. That was just to get the program going," said Dent.
The state's biennial budget must be finalized by Sunday, so with the next chapter still unwritten, Dent's team is looking at all funding options in hopes they can keep the story going." - KREM
What is Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, fostering a love of reading and building a foundation for lifelong learning. United Way of Spokane County proudly leads this program locally, partnering with donors and community organizations to make it possible. LEARN MORE
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities
Right now, over 10,000 children in Spokane County are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — receiving a new, age-appropriate book every month, right to their doorstep.
This life-changing program is completely free to families, but it isn’t free to sustain.
The Cost to Keep It Going
It costs United Way of Spokane County $30 per child, per year to provide these books.
That means:
$30 = 1 child for 12 months
$150 = 5 children get a year of reading
$300 = Supports 10 children for a year
With over 10,000 children enrolled, our annual cost is more than $260,000 — and that number grows as more families learn about the program and sign up.
