In August 2004, representatives of the Kiwanis Club of Morristown ask 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 preschool 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 IML program.

Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library” operates in Hamblen County through a partnership of HC*EXCELL, Kiwanis Club of Morristown, Rotary Club of Morristown AM, U.S. Postal Services, Walters State Community College, Morristown-Hamblen Library and Hamblen County School System. Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club of Morristown AM help pay for marketing costs and they contribute to the work of the IML program; WSCC provides a staff person for data input and modification; the Postal Service delivers the books and sees that HC*EXCELL receives returned books.

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 $28 (per child, per year) which includes 12 books, postage, shipping and handling, and reflects absolutely no administrative overhead costs. This cost is split between HC*EXCELL, its benefactors, and the Governor’s Books to Birth Foundation.

The Hamblen County IML program opened with 17 applications in November 2004 and is now providing books to approximately 1,800 children monthly. The program is funded through contributions to HC*EXCELL made by local businesses, governments, organizations, and regional and national foundations.