Oct 9, 2011 2 min read

Four years ago in a campaign ad, the current Uniontown city treasurer pledged $10,000 annually from his treasurer’s salary to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at the Uniontown Public Library. However, pledged funds received in four years total $2,500.

The cost to provide a monthly book for 12 months each year for one child is $30. The Uniontown Public Library registers the child and sends the name and mailing address to the Dolly Parton Foundation in Tennessee. Thereafter, each registered child between birth and five years of age receives free of charge an age-appropriate book mailed to their home address.

Thanks to local individuals, service clubs, businesses and others for their financial support, the Uniontown Public Library has 454 children receiving a monthly book and 351 children graduates because they reached the age of five. The annual cost for 454 children is $13,620.

This program is open to children in the Uniontown and Laurel Highlands school districts. The Dolly Parton Foundation does not provide any funds for the program and the Uniontown Public Library does not charge any administration fee. All local money raised buys books. Contributed funds are held at Fayette County Community Foundation.

W. Lawrence Bush

Uniontown Public Library Board President