.jpg)
Wlaf1450
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Nelsie Wooden with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library gave a brief presentation to Commissioners at Monday’s workshop, thanking them for supporting the program throughout the years.
“We come saying thank you for the contribution that you make each year so that the children of Campbell County receive a free book that is mailed to their house from newborn to age five. They have the opportunity to be read to and be nurtured by their caregiver, this gives them the opportunity to learn new words, and they come to school ready to learn, and ready to read,” Wooden said.
“We are so thankful for the county commission’s support of this program which truly impacts the lives of so many children birth to age 5 in our community. With registration at birth, children will have received 60 books when they are five years old!” said retired school counselor Linda Prim.
Commissioners also heard from Miss Georgia Herrell, a fifth-grade student from Caryville Elementary School, who also addressed commissioners on the importance of supporting the Imagination Library program.
Georgia shared her story about the Imagination Library and is a “wonderful ambassador” for the program.
“Me and my brother received books from the Imagination Library from the time we were born until we were five. My mother worked with Miss Nelsie before we were born, and she signed us up as soon as possible. As soon as the books arrived, we would race to the mailbox to see what books had arrived for us,” Georgia said. She also brought her favorite book, the Coat of May Colors by Dolly Parton, to share with the commissioners.
“The Imagination Library plants a seed that grows a love of reading and inspires kids just like me. Thank you so much for your past support of this program, it would be impossible to do it without you. The Imagination Library creates healthy reading habits from a young age. Thank you so much for putting books into babies’ hands and babies into parent’s laps,” Georgia said.
Commissioner Dewayne Baird, who is the chairman of the nonprofit board, spoke briefly, saying that every year it is a tight budget.
“It is unanimous every year, we always say, we cannot cut anything from the Imagination Library,” Baird said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/12/2026-6AM)