Rock Island County libraries are raising money for free monthly books
County libraries launched a $36,205 campaign so children from birth to age 5 can get a book each month. About 1,400 children are already waiting.
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Rock Island County libraries announced a fundraising campaign Wednesday morning at the Quad City Botanical Center so children from birth to age 5 can receive one free book a month through Dolly's Imagination Library. Director Angela Campbell said the drive is for $36,205 to cover the first two years. Organizers have raised $10,000 so far, and about 1,400 children are already on a waitlist. The books are not mailing yet.
The Rock Island Public Library Foundation is the nonprofit partner. Illinois will match half the cost of the books and postage. Once the program is fully in place, the annual cost is about $157,000, with the state paying half. The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead. Organizers said 12.6 percent of the county lives in poverty. The Imagination Library began in 1995.
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