By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The Henry Co. Commission agreed to help fund the Imagination Library this year with an allotment of $2,500 for the program, which provides free books each month to children aged birth to five years.
County Mayor Brent Greer noted that since the Imagination Library began in the county in 2004, this is the first time it has needed assistance meeting its funding goal. He noted that when the program began, the county agreed it would fund 50 percent of the annual cost of the program, if needed. “In all that time, it has not been needed until now,” Greer said.
Presentations were presented to the commission by Literacy Council representatives Donna Winders and Michael Williams, who also spoke at a non-profit committee meeting before the full commission session. Others from the Literacy Council in attendance were Sue Quinn and Diane Lancaster.
Winders said the Literacy Council oversees the Imagination Library and currently is serving 986 children. “But we’re running into problems with funding right now,” she said.
Williams said Helping Hand and Project Roundup provide over half of the funding needed to operate on a yearly basis but he said the group’s main fundraiser was Connie McSwain, who has retired from the program and as Director of the W.G. Rhea Library.
Greer noted that county employees still provide payroll deductions for the program, but that there are fewer employees doing that than before. He said the county needs to start promoting the Imagination Library to its employees again. “This is for our community, our children,” he said.
Rhea Library Board President Dr. Norma Gerrell introduced the commission to new Library Director Kathy Collins. Collins reported on safety measures that have been taken at the library recently. Collins said state officials said the library was secure, but she called Police Chief Chuck Elizondo and Sheriff Monte Belew to conduct a visual inspection of the facility and make their suggestions. “They did make suggestions and their suggestions have already been implemented,” Collins said. “We’re always working diligently to make sure your visits are welcoming and safe.”
In other business:
County Road Supervisor Richie Chilcutt presented the 2019 road plan, which contains the list of roads that will be worked on. Greer thanked Chilcutt for the road plans and said, “This is the first we’ve had this in our packet and we thank you and the board for presenting it to us.”
Chilcutt said the road board intends to present the plan to the commission every year.
Photo: Donna Winders presents information on Imagination Library. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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