City Council introduces ordinance to fund Ohio’s Governor’s Imagination Library
Photo via The New Political
On Monday, Athens City Council read an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Micah McCarey to allocate $10,000 to the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library.
The Imagination Library is a program founded by Dolly Parton that works to put books into the hands of children across the world and to encourage a love of reading. Parton started this program in 1955. She was inspired by her father’s inability to read or write and wanted to support the dreams of children who grew up in communities like she did. Parton said, “The seeds of these dreams are often found in the books, and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” Children enrolled in the Imagination Library receive one free book a month from the day they are born until they are five years old.
Councilmember Alan Swank noted that while the state of Ohio pays for 50% of the program’s costs, the Athens County Public Libraries depend on additional funding to facilitate the program. This proposed $10,000 allocation would contribute to those additional funds.
Swank then went on to share that in his time teaching at Athens High School, he was shocked to see how many students didn’t have any books at home. “We all take for granted that we have books,” he said. “This is a chance to get those books in kids’ hands, starting from birth all the way through starting kindergarten”. Swank also shared his own personal involvement in the Imagination Library, mentioning that just last week he bought a book about the alphabet for a two-year-old, called K Is For Kindness.
Councilmember Swank was not the only Councilmember to express enthusiasm regarding this ordinance. Councilmembers Beth Clodfelter and Micah McCarey spoke on their hopes for this ordinance, saying they want to see this become part of the yearly city budget in the future.
In other City Council news:
Ordinance 0-84-25 was passed, making parking for all Elected Officials and their volunteers during meeting times and while on official business free.
Ordinance-87-25 was passed, which removes gendered language from the Athens City Code.
September 15 - October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month. There are many events celebrating this around Athens, including Spanish Storytime held by Athens County Public Libraries.
The Athens City Council would also like to wish a happy Rosh Hashanah to anyone who will be celebrating next week.
On Tuesday, September 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., there will be an Athens Armory Community Open House for the re-opening of the historic building.