As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, the Kuskokwim Consortium Library is working to bring legendary singer Dolly Parton’s book program for low-income kids to Bethel.
Most people know Parton for her songs, but she also has a reading program called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that gives a free book every month to kids from birth to age five. Theresa Quiner is the librarian for the Kuskokwim Consortium Library in Bethel and she loves the country idol. Her favorite song? "Jolene."
"I just think it’s so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time," Quiner said. Quiner is also a fan of the Imagination Library.
"I love how the Imagination Library, it’s spread all over the world. I mean, she brought books, millions of books to low income kids in the country and around the world," Quiner said.
Kids don’t have to pay for participating, but it does take money to make sure that they get their books. Quiner is trying to raise the money with Bethel Community Services Foundation through Library Giving Day on April 23.
"So our fundraising goal is about $7,500," Quiner said.
The Imagination Library appeared on Quiner’s radar a couple of years ago, but the coronavirus pandemic spurred Quiner to start fundraising for it now.
"Kids are home and school is closed, and we want to make sure they have access to books," Quiner said.
Meanwhile, National Library Week begins April 20, and Quiner wants people to know that while the physical building is closed, there are still services and programs available.
"We’re doing a series called 'Hunker down with a new hobby,'" Quiner said.
It’s a series where they talk about a different hobby each week, like gardening, and canning, and sewing. And she gave a shout out to their Jesuit volunteer, Jaela Milford, along with her fellow JVs, for working so closely with the food bank to deliver food.
But Quiner said that she misses seeing community members everyday.
"I’m excited to see everyone again. I’m so used to seeing so many people from the community every day, and I miss everybody," Quiner said.
Quiner also reached out to Parton’s foundation to see if the singer could record a message for Bethel residents right now, but she was told that will probably not happen. Quiner still hopes to convince her someday.