We think we can...

We think we can...

A simple goal:

Expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to all of Arkansas.

Perfect partners to get to goal:

Rotary International District 6150

Rotary clubs statewide

Rotary International Foundation

State of Arkansas

What is the Imagination

Library?

In Dolly’s words:

“When I was growing up in East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are kids in your community that have their own dreams.

They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows maybe there is a little girl who dreams of being a writer or a singer.

The seeds of these dreams are often found in books. These seeds you plant in your communities can grow all across the world.”

1996 • Launched by Dolly in her native Tennessee county to:

– Foster love of reading among children in her county

– Excite children about the magic of books

– Ensure that every child had books, regardless of family income levels

Nationwide• Children at birth – age 5

enroll• Receive age-appropriate

books, 1/month every month• 60 books in total at no cost• Managed by nonprofits• Turn-key thru Dolly Parton

Imagination Library

Now in Tennessee:

• 204,000 children 5 and under enrolled • Equals 54% of eligible children

Tennessee governor’s study

Large-scale, 2007 study among teachers:

- DPIL students “better prepared”

- 64% found DPIL students exceeded expectations versus 11% for non-DPIL students

Tennessee now provides 50% of the total program cost

through state funding

• forms a foundation for education • strengthens the resolve toward learning

• allows adults to set a positive example

Reading to children:

American Association of Pediatrics• recommends daily reading routine to infants & older

children – records reveal only 50% of parents read to children daily

• Identifies reading as – significant aid in brain development– key factor in solidifying bond between parent and child

U.S. Literacy Statistics

• 42 million American adults cannot read.

• 50 million read below fifth grade level

• 20 % of high school seniors are functionally illiterate at graduation

• The number of functionally illiterate adults increases by 2.25 million annually

• 1,993,031 adult residents:

- 491,000 (25%) had no high school diploma

- 170,420 had less than an 8th-grade education

U.S. Literacy Statistics

• 42 million American adults cannot read.

• 50 million read below fifth grade level

• 20 % of high school seniors are functionally illiterate at graduation

• The number of functionally illiterate adults increases by 2.25 million annually

Rotary--the ideal vehicle

• Literacy-a major area of emphasis for RI service projects– RI sponsors a literacy month – All clubs expected to complete a literacy project

• RI already partnered with Dolly Parton Imagination Library

• Worldwide, grassroots organization

Get on board! 6110

6150

61701. Every Rotary Club in 6150 starts DPIL– Partnering or solo

2. 6150 models for remaining Arkansas districts

3. Rotary support saturates Arkansas communities

4. Rotary spearheads quest for state funding

Get your club on board!• Assign a leader to learn about DPIL– Visit imaginationlibrary.org

• Decide on sponsoring organization– Club alone or with a partner

• Dedicate start-up funds– $1,000 is a great start!

• Sign up, buy materials• Enroll children

• Clubs: –Best grassroots organization!

• Literacy–Key RI issue–Especially acute need in Arkansas

• DPIL–Already a partner– Ideal for literacy growth

Rotary is the engine!

We KNOW we can... so..

LET’S GET ON BOARD!