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Overview: The Imagination Library of the Prescott Area (ILPA) is a local non-profit affiliate implementing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) serving 23 Zip codes within Yavapai County Arizona - I. E. ILPA serves all of Yavapai County except the Verde Valley and Bagdad which maintain their own Imagination Library affiliates. This joint-club district grant application in support of that program is being submitted by the Rotary Clubs of 1. Prescott, and 2. Prescott-Frontier. It should be noted that the RC of Prescott-Sunup will continue its financial support of ILPA for the coming year even though it does not qualify for grant matching funds.
ILPA provides age-appropriate books mailed monthly to children aged 0-5 that have been enrolled by their parents. This is essentially a "Book of the Month Club" for this age group. 2023-2024 will be the fifth year that a Rotary District 5495 district grant has supported this program along with matching funds from Rotary Clubs located in Prescott. .
Needs: The underlying need addressed by this program is the improvement of general literacy and communication skills of young children. By engaging in this program, young children, ages 0-5, acquire reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills that improve their readiness for formal schooling and establish everyday requirements for normal communication. The program prescribes expectations on the part of parents and caregivers in presenting and interacting with children as they together engage in reading and discussing the books. Parents talking and reading with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers every day is critical for healthy brain development and long-term learning.
Timeline: This ongoing program is entering its fifth year of operation and continuous support by the Rotary clubs located in Prescott.
Funding: During its initial four years through June 2023, district grants and club funds remain one of the major funding sources for ILPA. Funding has also been received from the Arizona/Yavapai County Community Foundation and Read on Arizona (Covid Relief Federal Funds). Donations from individuals and other community organizations have also been accepted. ILPA has also applied for funding from the United Way of Yavapai County. ILPA will be applying for funds from corporate sponsors through individual sponsorships as well as through fundraising events.
Program Description: Children receive books mailed to their homes when they are registered online with DPIL (>imaginationlibrary.com<) either by their parents or an ILPA volunteer. In Yavapai County, ILPA currently serves about 1700 children per month at a cost of approximately $2.20 per book per child or $3,740 monthly. This expense includes both the costs of shipping and for the book itself. The number of books distributed has varied throughout the current fiscal year between 1,040 books in July of 2022 and 1,671 books in May of 2023. The current rate of increase is 60-70 books per month.
Rotarian Involvement: Rotarians participate in the following manner: 1. As members of the ILPA board of directors 2. Assisting with additional fundraising efforts such as grant writing 3. Attending and assisting at ILPA promotional events held by other organizations. 4. Making promotional/marketing presentations to local funding organizations. 5 Volunteering to plan and execute ILPA fundraising events. 6. Participating in individual club fundraising events that provide matching funds for the district grant.
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