September 19, 2024 2:50 a.m.

Roseburg Public Library will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the community, with an event Wednesday, October 2nd at 10:15 a.m.

A city release said that day, Youth Services Librarian Aurora Ropp will first present Storytime, which will feature stories, songs, fingerplays and movement rhymes perfect for children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers.

Following Storytime, the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library will take time to thank local foundations, organizations, businesses and individuals who have supported the Imagination Library program with their grants and donations. Light refreshments will be served.

Imagination Library is a book-gifting program that mails one new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children from birth to age five every month. The local partner, Friends of the Roseburg Public Library, serves youth in Glide, Idleyld Park, Roseburg, Wilbur and Winchester zip codes. Local program partners support youth in most of Douglas County and the state.

Since the Friends launched their program, 2,750 children have participated, and 61,000 books have been mailed. About 1,500 children are currently registered.

The release said local partners and donors have covered program costs totaling $26 per child per year to fund the Imagination Library. Since May, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care has supported local partners with a 50 percent funding match. The rest is generated locally by champions of early literacy.

To support the local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, drop off cash or a check made out to Friends of the Roseburg Library, at 1409 Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Mail a donation to the Friends at P.O. Box 1921 in Roseburg, 97470.

To register for the Imagination Library, go to www.imaginationlibrary.com and click “Check Availability”.