SF5232

Purpose

• Create the Minnesota Imagination Library program under the Department of Education to provide age-appropriate books at no cost to families for children from birth through age five, in partnership with the Dollywood Foundation. The program supports foundational literacy and aligns with the Read Act (Minnesota statutes sections 120B.118 to 120B.124).

What the program does

• Establishes a statewide program to send books to eligible Minnesota children and help families engage in reading before kindergarten.
• Defines key terms such as eligible child, local affiliate, and statewide entity to run and coordinate the program.

Key terms and players

• Eligible child: a Minnesota resident from birth to five years old.
• Local affiliate: a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, school district, or public library that partners with the Dollywood Foundation to operate in a geographic area.
• Statewide entity: a Minnesota-based nonprofit chosen through a competitive process to coordinate the program statewide.
• Dollywood Foundation: the partner organization providing books and support.

Commissioner and statewide entity responsibilities

• The Commissioner of Education must select a statewide entity through a competitive process.
• The Commissioner must provide a state match equal to 50% of the cost of books and mailing for all children enrolled through local affiliates.
• The statewide entity must manage daily operations, serve as the liaison to the Dollywood Foundation, help local affiliates meet the 50% local matching requirement, and develop a statewide marketing plan.
• A goal to enroll at least 50% of eligible children by the end of fiscal year 2029.
• The statewide entity must coordinate with school districts to include Imagination Library enrollment information in early childhood screening.

Local partner responsibilities

• To receive state matching funds, a local affiliate must enter into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation.
• Local affiliates must provide 50% of the funding for the cost of books and mailing for children in their service area.
• Local affiliates are responsible for enrolling children within their geographic boundaries.

Funding details

• State provides a 50% match for book and mailing costs.
• Local affiliates provide the other 50% match.
• The program is designed to work in tandem with other early literacy initiatives.

Outreach, integration, and goals

• The program’s outreach will be aligned with the Department of Education’s early literacy initiatives to engage families before kindergarten.
• A statewide marketing plan aims to boost enrollment and awareness.
• The program will coordinate with school districts to use early childhood screening as a touchpoint for enrollment information.

Reporting and oversight

• By January 15 each year, the Commissioner must report to legislative committees on:
  • Number of children enrolled by county
  • Number of books distributed
  • Analysis of the program’s impact on kindergarten readiness data

Changes to existing law

• Establishes a new state program within the Department of Education focused on early literacy and access to free books for young children.
• Introduces a statewide coordinating entity and a structured funding model with 50% state and 50% local/affiliate contributions.
• Ties program activities to the Read Act and early childhood screening processes.
• Creates reporting requirements to track enrollment, distribution, and kindergarten readiness outcomes.

Relevant terms - Minnesota Imagination Library program - Dollywood Foundation - Read Act (Minnesota statutes sections 120B.118 to 120B.124) - Department of Education - age-appropriate books - birth to five / birth through age five - eligible child - local affiliate - 501(c)(3) nonprofit - school district - public library - statewide entity - competitive process - state match (50%) - local match (50%) - early literacy initiatives - enrollment / enrollment information - early childhood screening - kindergarten readiness - marketing plan - counties / enrollment by county - books distributed - funding and fundraising - reporting (January 15 deadline)