STEP 1
Defining the Geographic Area

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a free gift that can be given to children residing in a predetermined zip code, school district, town, county, or even an entire state. The first step to bringing this gift to your community’s children is to identify the area in which you want to offer the program.

Remember:
• The eligibility criteria for the Imagination Library is defined only in terms of the child’s age and residence
• Please do not limit registration based on socioeconomics, risk factors, participation in certain programs, parental factors or by any other means other than a child’s age and residence

STEP 2
Fundraising

The staff at The Dollywood Foundation can provide you with a 5 year projected budget for your community’s program using a “cost projection template.”

The cost projection template calculates the average annual operating costs based on three key items:
1. the total number of eligible children in your community
2. the trends taken from other communities that have replicated the program
3. the average cost of the books and mailing (the annual cost is $28/child/year)

Common financial supporters include:
• United Way
• Local Businesses
• Civic Groups
• Local Governments
• Private Citizens
• Educational Foundations
• Churches
• Chambers of Commerce
• School Systems

STEP 3
Identify a Local Champion

The Local Champion has 4 primary responsibilities:
1. To register children by publicizing the program using the customized registration brochures designed by
The Dollywood Foundation and other promotional materials
2. To input registration data into The Dollywood Foundation’s database system
3. To pay the monthly invoice (the annual cost is $28/child/year or an average monthly cost of $2.33)
4. To pick up undeliverable books from your local post office(s)

Local Champions are characteristically different across localities. In some communities a single group or individual takes on all of the coordinating responsibilities. In other communities, multiple groups
and/or individuals divide the responsibilities.

Note: You must make sure that you have a 501(c)(3) agency on board as a key collaborator. Due
to postal regulations, the return address on all books must be that of a local 501(c)(3). This same
address must also be listed as the contact on the registration brochure.

STEP 4
Complete Paperwork

There are 4 pieces of documentation that must be filed with The Dollywood Foundation before you can begin registering children with your program. They are:
1. Memorandum of Agreement
2. Affiliate Information Sheet
3. Mailing Regulations Form
4. Registration Brochure Order Form

STEP 5
Order Registration Brochures

Registration brochures for each locality are customized by The Dollywood Foundation.

Cost of registration brochures* (allow a 5% contingency; all prices include shipping** within the
continental United States)

Timeline for Registration Brochure Design & Delivery***
1. Within 7 days after the brochure order has been placed, a proof will be developed and sent for your approval.
2. Within 4 weeks of the time you gave final approval of the proof, the brochures are delivered.

*A $25 charge will be assessed for each proof after the third proof.
**If expedited shipping is required, total shipping costs will change to reflect those charges.
***Please note the exact time may vary.

STEP 6
Receive Operations Manual and Reference Guide

You will be sent an operations manual which includes:
• Instructions for registering children
• Instructions for database maintenance
• Website instructions
• Program information
• Promotion suggestions
• FAQs
• Other resource materials

STEP 7
Host Rollout Event

The rollout event is a time to publicize your program, so be CREATIVE!

Common characteristics of a rollout event include:
• Involving local media
• Having children present
• Registering children on site
• Inviting local leaders
• Serving refreshments
• Having a prominent local or state official read a book from the Imagination Library to children at the event
• Hosting in conjunction with other popular community events such as festivals or school events

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