Arnold junior Eli Rogers, who spearheaded making Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available to children in Custer County several years ago, has his sights set higher. He wants to bring the gift of reading to the entire state of Nebraska.
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book gifting program that mails high quality, age appropriate books monthly to children ages 0 to 5. The first book order in its history was just over 1,700. Today, more than one million books per month are delivered to children around the world.
Local programs such as Rogers’ Nebraska Early Reading Development (NERD for short) group are in charge of enrolling children in their coverage area while also paying an average of $2.60 per child per month for wholesale books and mailing costs. Imagination Library covers all overhead and admin expenses at no cost to the local programs, while also coordinating book selection, book orders, and delivery.
Rogers said that since launching the program in Custer County with the help of the Arnold Community Foundation, enrollment has grown to 227 children. The counties of McPherson, Hooker, Thomas, Logan, and Blaine have now also joined the program. The growth has been exciting, and Rogers wants more children across the state to benefit.
“The kids just light up when they get a free book in the mail. You know, as a young child getting stuff in the mail is just such an enjoyable time,” Rogers said.
In addition to seeking donations to keep the program running locally, Rogers said his goal of taking the Imagination Library across the state will take a lot of coordination with 501(c)3 partners that want to see children receive books that are 100% free because of their fund-securing efforts.
“We’re hoping that by the end of 2026 we’ll be statewide. That’s a big ask of about $2.2 million annually,” said Rogers.
With the continued help of his English teacher Nicole Badgley and a new district representative with Imagination Library, Rogers has been having conversations with senators and other government officials to bring attention to other states that have invested in their youngest constituents by allocating funds to the program.
“Not every county has an affiliate that does fundraisers to pay for the mailing expenses. Some states have gone state wide and the government actually gives an annual amount, but Nebraska has not done that.. yet. That is our mission!” Rogers explained.
Right now, Rogers said his mission is to keep fundraising to keep the local program going while continuing his effort to expand in the state.
Those wishing to donate to the Custer County program can send checks to:
NERDs
PO Box 302
Arnold, NE 69120
Donations can also be made by clicking the ‘donate’ button on ImaginationLibrary.com and choosing to designate the donation to a specific affiliate.
Listen to our full conversation with Eli Rogers here:
