OUR VIEW: Don't disappoint Dolly by ending Imagination Library funding
When announcing in 2023 that the state would allocate $6 million over the next two years for The Imagination Library, then-Gov. Eric Holcomb aptly stated that reading is 'the key to further education and opportunity.'
His successor, Gov. Mike Braun, must feel differently. His budget proposal nixes appropriations for the reading program which provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5. According to The Dollywood Foundation, some 125,000 Hoosier children in all 92 counties receive books each month. Like Jimmy Carter's volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Dolly Parton will be remembered for her efforts to ensure children have access to books, regardless of their family's income level.
While The Imagination Library has largely been supported by charitable giving, removing public dollars from the program is a bad decision. It signals that reading isn't a priority for Braun and legislators who support his budget proposal. It's also strange timing considering recent improvements in Indiana reading scores.
Over the past two years, Indiana has enjoyed a significant jump in reading scores amongst students. In the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Indiana improved from 19th to sixth in the nation in fourth grade reading over a two-year period. Eighth grade reading results placed Indiana at sixth in the nation, up from 17th.
'This new data is just one more piece of evidence that the time and resources invested in this effort are paying off for students,' said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner when the results were released. 'This should provide continued motivation for everyone to keep our foot on the gas pedal, whether that's classroom teachers or parents reading to their child at home.'
Ending public funding for The Imagination Library would be tapping the brakes, not keeping the foot on the gas pedal. As Jenner correctly states, reading at home is critical for young Hoosiers. Access to books, which The Imagination Library provides, is part of that progress. Why would Braun want to slow that progress?
After catching heat from around the globe for the perplexing decision, Braun announced that his wife, First Lady Maureen Braun, would lead an initiative to raise money for The Imagination Library. That's commendable, but it should be done in concert with state funding.
Instead of working '9 to 5' to axe funding for a successful reading program, Hoosier lawmakers should embrace Dolly's Imagination Library 'From Here to the Moon and Back.'
Reading is a gateway. We should support swinging that gate wide open, not closing the door even an inch to comprehension, education and advancement.
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