Does anyone know what happened with the Pittsburgh imagination library program? It seems like the city cut the program which sends free books to inner city kids. Was this the new mayor’s call?

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UnsurprisingDebris t1_jeg90kl wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:06 PM

Are you talking about the Dolly Parton program? If so, here you go:

"We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our community over the last five years and share the gift of reading with so many young Pittsburghers. Since launching this program, over 14,000 books were sent to children and their families in our region.

We are sharing this letter with the news that we have spent the entirety of our grant funds supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program for all City of Pittsburgh residents, and you will be receiving your last book in April 2023. There is nothing you need to do to cancel your membership – that will be done automatically on your behalf. Despite our best efforts, we were not able to find another program host; however, you are welcome to continue checking the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website to see if there are any other new programs serving your zip code. We are also working closely with the DPIL team to find other ways to continue supporting this program because we know how valuable it is for our families of Pittsburgh.

Thank you for your commitment to helping our young people gain the skills and critical reading habits that will help them succeed throughout their lives. "

carols10cents t1_jegd786 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:33 PM

This article from 2021 says:

> Pittsburgh's Imagination Library launched in February 2019 and is funded through Dolly Parton's national initiative, the Benter Foundation, Hillman Family Foundation, and McAuley Ministries.

Originally, it was only funded through "a $250,000 grant from the Benter Foundation".

So funding probably just dried up.

Geneoaf t1_jeghjo8 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 9:03 PM

Is this just the city of Pittsburgh that is cutting it? We are in Munhall and I just got my son’s first book last month and haven’t heard anything about getting the last book.

juliepde OP t1_jeghxk9 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 9:05 PM

We live in the city of Pittsburgh and got an email today. In the past the communications talked about a partnership with the imagination library and Peduto so it might just be Pittsburgh cut it

pghbibliophile t1_jegm2uw wrote on March 31, 2023 at 9:34 PM

I think each zip code is funded by different sponsors. We signed up recently as well and the sponsors for our area look like just regular folks, not an organization. But If I put in a city zip code it tells me the sponsor is in Peduto’s office. So I think we’re “safe”.

GargantuanWitch t1_jeg5pep wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:43 PM

I don't know for sure about this particular program, but I wouldn't be super worried about it. There are TONS of ways for kids to get free books from the local library system, and they actually do a very good job promoting it and distributing items.

If the city chose to eliminate it, I'd be fine with it, considering it's something that the libraries are inherently better-equipped to do.

juliepde OP t1_jeg6mis wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:50 PM

The Pittsburgh library system is great! However it is not the same. The excitement of a preschooler getting their own mail and it being a book is really magical. As a parent borrowing a book from the library requires the time to take kids there to select it and the mental load of remembering and having the time to return it. This program was different and a loss for Pittsburgh kids.