In August 2004, representatives of the Kiwanis Club of Morristown asked HC*EXCELL to consider facilitating the Hamblen County Imagination Library (“IML”) program. In an effort to better prepare Tennessee children to enter the school system, the Tennessee Legislature had set aside $2,000,000 for the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation and offered to partner with counties across the state in providing books for birth to 5-year-old children. Following board approval and by appointment of the Hamblen County Commission on September 23, 2004, HC*EXCELL became the Hamblen County Dolly Parton Imagination Library partner. With this appointment came on the responsibilities of managing, promoting and raising funds for the Hamblen County IML program.
Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library” operated in Hamblen County through a partnership of HC*EXCELL, Kiwanis Club of Morristown, Rotary Club of Morristown AM (now Rotary Club of Morristown), U.S. Postal Services, Walters State Community College, Morristown-Hamblen Library and the Hamblen County School System. The Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club of Morristown AM helped pay for marketing costs and contributed to the work of the IML program; WSCC provided a staff person for data input and modification; the Postal Service delivered the books and saw that HC*EXCELL receives returned books.
In 2018, the Morristown-Hamblen Imagination Library Advisory Council (MH IML AC) was formed to manage and raise funds for the Hamblen County Imagination Library program.
The IML program was created by Dolly Parton in 1996, and provides a new, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth to age five at no cost to the family. The total cost of the program is $31 (per child, per year) which includes 12 books, postage, shipping & handling, and reflects absolutely no administrative overhead costs. Currently, the cost is split between the MH IML Advisory Council, it’s contributors and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (TN Legislature)
The Hamblen County IML program opened with 17 applications in November 2004 and is now providing books to approximately 2,871 children monthly. The Hamblen County portion of the program is currently funded through contributions made by local businesses, governments, organizations, and foundations.
