Online grant announcement

Imagination Library Program Continues in Marion

The Marion Independent School Foundation and Alumni Association is pleased to announce a grant of $1,500 from our Spring Marion Grants Cycle awarded to Friends of the Marion Public Library to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. This partnership promotes early reading habits and encourages a lifelong appreciation for literacy and learning. This photo is from the online meeting sharing news about the grant award.

MISD Superintendent Janelle Brouwer learned about the program through a presentation by the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and was eager to have the program available in Marion. At her request, Marion Foundation Executive Director Erin Steffen met with Marion Public Library staff and the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Director to learn more. Our Foundation collaborated with Marion library staff to launch the program in January 2020, providing an initial $2,500 gift, and with support from Friends of the Marion Public Library the program has continued, serving over 850 kids ages 0-5 in Marion in its first year.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library cards will be distributed to Longfellow Elementary preschool families in April. To register, simply send that card back to the school. Registration is also available online and at the Marion Public Library’s temporary location at 1064 7th Ave, Marion, IA 52302.  The program is free for all families living in the 52302 zip code with kids between the ages of 0-5.  Once registered, children will receive one book by mail each month until they age out of the program.