Kay Ivey says ‘steady progress’ being made on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program
On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey provided an update on the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). The Governor announced that the program that provides books to children continues to grow steadily. Since Governor Ivey kicked off the statewide expansion in August, the program has grown to serve more than 49,000 children. “I am excited to see the rapid growth and response from communities across the state that are now serving children and families by providing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama,” said Gov. Ivey. “The enrollment numbers are encouraging, but our work isn’t done. We still have thirteen counties where the program is not available, and it is my goal for all children age five and younger in our state to be provided coverage.” Ivey said that her number one priority is ensuring that every child is a successful reader by the 3rd grade. Ivey believes that by providing opportunities for every child in our state to interact with books, we prepare infants and young children across Alabama for future success. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library allows parents and families to open a book and read to their children, laying that critical foundation. “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a grassroots, community-based program,” said Gov. Ivey. “Our goal of serving nearly 200,000 children is within reach, and bringing these final counties on board will require strong partnerships and support on the local level. We can’t miss this opportunity to inspire a love for reading and learning in our next generation of Alabamians.” Kahla Williams is the Dollywood Foundation Regional Director. “We have seen not only steady enrollment growth (almost 10,000 more children enrolled in Alabama since August) but a rapid growth of awareness and interest from local organizations across the state looking to get involved,” said Director Williams. “We thank all the local communities and partners who have stepped forward to help pursue DPIL’s mission, and Governor Ivey for the personal approach her administration has taken to grow the program across the state.” Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created to inspire a love of reading by gifting free books each month to children from birth to age five. The program works with local partners to help fund and sustain the program. The state’s investment in the Imagination Library allows local partners to quickly launch book deliveries to as many children as possible across the state. The books delivered monthly are free to all children and families who sign up for the program. Jan Hume is the acting Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. “We are continuing to collaborate with communities across the state to provide full coverage in the partially covered counties and to find local community partners in counties where the program is not available,” said Secretary Hume. “To help bring these final counties on board, funding has been made available to cover the local cost for the first two years of the program that will allow the opportunity for the local community partner to fundraise and kickstart enrollment.” New Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) said, “Several years ago, one of my constituents, Debbie Barclay, approached me asking for the resources necessary to start the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. When Governor Ivey announced she was introducing the Imagination Library statewide, all of Jackson County, especially Debbie, was excited. For our students to have a lifetime of success, we must put books in their hands during their formative years, and Governor Ivey understands that. I thank her for her continued leadership to champion programs that will make a difference for our children.” Ivey declared her intent to participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during her 2023 Inaugural Address and followed through on her promise with Executive Order 729. Governor Ivey continues to encourage parents to register their children and take advantage of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama. To learn more about becoming a community partner, contact Kahla Williams at kwilliams@imaginationlibrary.com. Parents can enroll their children in this program and learn more as it is expanded across the state by visiting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website. Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. Research results suggest that there are positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics from participation in the program. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey reflects on past four years
On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was sworn in for her second full term as Governor of the State. “Folks, standing here four years ago, I could never have imagined what was to come, but I am certain we came out stronger because of you, the good people of Alabama,” Ivey said. During Ivey’s term as governor, she emphasized road and port improvements, began construction on two new mega prisons, improved mental health services, and rural broadband. “We are making improvements to our roads and bridges in all 67 counties, as well as to the Port of Mobile,” Ivey said. “We are moving forward in constructing of new prisons while also continuing to make productive and reasonable reforms to our criminal justice system. We are making mental health care a priority with the addition of six new crisis centers.” “Speaking of results, over 61,000 more Alabama households and businesses will now have broadband access,” Ivey said. Ivey referenced the trend for biological males transitioning to being females and competing in women’s sports – a phenomenon Ivey has consistently opposed. “Never would I have thought that the day we elect a female governor and a female United States senator, we would also have to fight for our girls to have a fair chance when they compete in sports,” Ivey said. This was the fourth inauguration in a row where Republicans won every constitutional office, but Ivey asked for bipartisan cooperation. “I believe we have more in common than that which divides us,” Ivey said. “We all want Alabama to be the best place to live, we want our people working, and we want our children to receive a high-quality education. To put it simply, we all want to continue seeing more of our Alabama common sense. No doubt, much of our current success is a direct result of reaching across the aisle and working together for the betterment of our state.” Ivey highlighted the economic progress the state has achieved during her term as governor. “We have reached the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history, multiple times over,” Ivey said. “We have more good paying jobs available today than at any other point before. I am proud to report today that since I have been governor, we have seen business investments in our state totaling $40 billion, which has created 73,000 new jobs. And I assure you, we are not done yet.” Public education has been abysmal in Alabama for years, but Ivey promised progress during her second term. “Alabama will rank in the top 30 states in reading and math for the first time in our history,” Ivey promised. “As your governor, I also support a parent being able to decide what is best for their own child’s education. We need to have meaningful discussions about school choice in Alabama, and I believe that begins with making needed reforms to our charter school option.” Ivey promised to send books to children through the age of five. “We will partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to ensure every Alabamian can receive books directly to their homes each month after they are born until five years of age,” Ivey said. Ivey promised to reduce regulations on business. “We will reduce burdens holding back our businesses and will cut regulations by 25 percent over the next two years,” Ivey said. Ivey vowed to get tough on crime. “We will back the blue, and that also means we will continue standing behind the men and women who serve our state as corrections officers,” Ivey stated. “Just last week, I signed an executive order to ensure violent criminals remain off the streets. We must do everything we can to ensure we will never again lose Alabamians like Bibb County Deputy Brad Johnson to a man who should never have been out of prison in the first place.” Inauguration day was also Martin Luther King Day. Ivey acknowledged King’s historical impact. “It was in this very place, in the heart of downtown of Montgomery, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for equality for all,” Ivey said. “It is my hope we can embrace our history and be able to fully explain to every child how exceptional our country is today.” Dallas and Autauga Counties were hit by tornados on Thursday. Ivey spent recent days surveying the damage and working with local and federal officials to rebuild. “Just a few days ago, tornadoes ravaged parts of our state, stealing the lives of seven of our fellow Alabamians,” Ivey said. “The one light in all of this darkness was our people. Folks all over our state are flocking to the aid of their neighbors hardest hit. Alabamians’ love for each other prevails all, and I am confident we will come back stronger.” “I’m proud to be the second female governor of Alabama, having personally helped Governor Lurleen Wallace get elected in 1967,” Ivey said. “I commit to you today I will work hard over the next four years to build on our roots, so we can address our longstanding challenges, further our progress, and prepare for the future.” To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s inauguration speech
Text of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s inauguration speech given on Jan. 16, 2023. Remarks as prepared: My fellow Alabamians: Today, as we mark the start of a new chapter in our state government, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to call Alabama and the United States of America our home. Four years ago, in this very spot, I said our people are our greatest resource and the fabric that holds our state together during both our best days and the more difficult ones. Folks, standing here four years ago, I could never have imagined what was to come, but I am certain we came out stronger because of you, the good people of Alabama. Just a few days ago, tornadoes ravaged parts of our state, stealing the lives of seven of our fellow Alabamians. The one light in all of this darkness was our people. Folks all over our state are flocking to the aid of their neighbors hardest hit. Alabamians’ love for each other prevails all, and I am confident we will come back stronger. I am truly honored by your overwhelming support. You elected me to serve as your governor for four more years, and that is a responsibility I do not take lightly. To my fellow constitutional officers, legislators, and other public servants, hear me loud and clear. We have a busy, productive, and full four years in front of us. Let us work together, and let’s not waste a single moment. We will keep Alabama working, and, as a team, we will ensure our best days are yet to come. Today is a time for us to celebrate all Alabama is, for us to reflect on what we have accomplished, and, most importantly, to plan for the future we are working towards. I am truly grateful to this year’s inaugural chairs for making today’s historic event possible, as well as the many volunteers, law enforcement officials, and others who lent a helping hand. We don’t need to sugarcoat it: Right now, with the state of our nation, times are tough. An unprecedented pandemic has led to the federal government spending way above our means. This has resulted in record-high inflation, which means higher costs everywhere you turn. Alabamians in every corner of our state stepped up in a real way when the pandemic halted how we live here in our country. And now, as your governor, I am doing everything in my power to step up for you and your families to provide meaningful and responsible assistance. Folks, we are living in what – at moments – feels like an unreal time. When I was a young girl growing up in Camden, I could never have imagined the world we live in today. Never would I have thought that the day we elect a female governor and a female United States senator, we would also have to fight for our girls to have a fair chance when they compete in sports. Over my lifetime, and especially during my years of public service, I have come to know the people of Alabama will never compromise our values. I believe our Alabama values make us who we are. And as your governor, I am proud of who we are, and I will always protect what we believe in, never forgetting our roots. And as we look ahead to a future filled with opportunity and great possibility, I pledge that we will build on our roots by focusing on getting the hard work done today while never forgetting that our work now matters most to our future generations. I believe we have more in common than that which divides us. We all want Alabama to be the best place to live; we want our people working; and we want our children to receive a high-quality education. To put it simply, we all want to continue seeing more of our Alabama common sense. No doubt, much of our current success is a direct result of reaching across the aisle and working together for the betterment of our state. We are making improvements to our roads and bridges in all 67 counties, as well as to the Port of Mobile. We are moving forward in constructing of new prisons. while also continuing to make productive and reasonable reforms to our criminal justice system. We are making mental health care a priority with the addition of six new crisis centers. We have put a renewed focus on the fundamentals of education and are beginning to see tangible results. Speaking of results, over 61,000 more Alabama households and businesses will now have broadband access. Since I have been governor, thanks to the work of the Alabama Legislature, we have cut well over half a billion dollars in taxes. That relief helped everyone from our middle class to our farmers to our small businesses to our first-time home buyers and even to those looking to adopt. We have reached the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history multiple times over. We have more good-paying jobs available today than at any other point before. I am proud to report today that since I have been governor, we have seen business investments in our state totaling $40 billion dollars, which has created 73,000 new jobs. And I assure you, we are not done yet. The core issues, the everyday issues, are what will continue to be at the top of my agenda for the next four years. Ensuring every Alabama student receives a high-quality education will be my number one focus. We will build upon the foundation we have laid so that by the end of my term, Alabama will rank in the top 30 states in reading and math for the first time in our history but, in order to be first, we have to continue moving up. Here in Alabama, we support – in fact, we encourage – our parents to be involved in their children’s educational journeys, from birth and
