After taking on the role of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Imagination Librarian in June, Nickie Gaffney shared how the library has expanded its activities in community and her plans for the future at Thursday’s Kiwanis Club meeting.
The Imagination Library is a national program founded by country singer Dolly Parton that provides free monthly books to children casting a light on the importance of early childhood literacy. Gaffney shared that Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 in Sevier County Tennessee when she saw high amounts of students dropping out of high school.
The Imagination Library provides free monthly books to children under the age of five.
Since starting in June, Gaffney shared what’s new with the Imagination Library. Gaffney says they have started a reading series for children called Hometown Heroes where they invite members of public service to read to children and share their line of work. Recently they have had Payton Rogers from the Hopkinsville Fire Department and Royale Marfil from the Hopkinsville Police Department read to children.
Along with the new program, Gaffney shared that they have recently renovated and stocked the little libraries located at Little River Trail and North Drive Trailhead. Gaffney says in the future she would like to set up little libraries in more rural areas of the county.
Since the Imagination Library program started nearly nine years ago, Gaffney says they have had over 7,800 children graduate from the program and currently they have around 2,900 children enrolled in the program.
Looking toward the new year, Gaffney says they are planning fundraising activities. One of the activities, Gaffney has planned is “Dollars for Dolly” which will support children in the program, as well as plans to expand little libraries.
More information about the Imagination Library’s work in the community can be found at their Facebook page at, Hopkinsville Christian County Imagination Library.