Imagination Library Photo Challenge

Each year, Eugene Public Library Foundation holds a photo challenge for Imagination Library of Eugene participants. View previous submissions and enter this year’s challenge!

These wonderful pictures and stories demonstrate the local impact of the Imagination Library of Eugene. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the photo challenge!

The 2023 challenge is now closed. Check back next summer for your chance to enter!

2022 Photo Challenge Winners: Judah, Micah, and Elijah

“All three of my kids have participated over the years and they love getting a new book in the mail. They always excitedly run inside and want to read it right away. Several of the imagination library books have become favorites that we read over and over.”

2021 Photo Challenge winner: Lena

“I’ve been a frequent user of the Eugene Public Library since I was one, got my library card as soon as I was old enough to write my name at age three, and fondly remember the days of crowding the bookmobile with my mom, siblings, and our laundry basket we filled to the brim with books to borrow. Now that I have kids of my own, I hope to instill in them the same love of the library and reading, and I know we’re off to a great start with the Imagination Library program. When I learned about it I was amazed by the concept - free books for kids from birth to age five sounded too good to be true! Luckily for us (and all participants), the program is absolutely as good as it sounds. My oldest is almost three and loves her monthly mail from “her friend Dolly Parton,” and the books we receive are read on repeat in our household. My youngest is seven months and while she doesn’t know who is sending her books, she loves them all the same. My kids love reading and are fortunate to be surrounded by books, whether from the library or from generous friends and family members (and our good friend Dolly!). As a parent, it makes me so happy to know that the Imagination Library is putting books on the shelves of kids around the country so that even more kids can grow up with a love of reading.”

2020 Photo Challenge Winner: Easton

“Our participation in the Imagination Library is coming to a close, and we wish to express our gratitude to the Eugene Public Library Foundation for facilitating the growth of our home library collection over the past few years! A couple of my son Easton’s favorite activities are reading books and checking the mailbox, so this program has offered a winning combination for our family. The first book delivered was The Little Engine That Could, and it is still one of our favorite books to puff and chug along to. We have laughed along with the animals countless times when out pops baby frog in The Giant Jumperee. So many of these books have brought joy into our home, starting with the surprise package and continuing with repeated reads together. It doesn’t end there, though. We are building not only fond memories but also a foundation for strong reading skills that will serve my son forever. I know Easton enjoys the reading experience now, and I’m sure that will continue in the future as he begins choosing his own titles and reading independently. As a parent, I value time spent reading together and have been able to witness all of the benefits that come from doing so. A big thank you to Dolly Parton and the Imagination Library for fostering a love for reading and helping to make it fun and available to our community! We look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward and sponsor a child in the future, knowing he or she will surely get as much satisfaction out of the program as we have.”

More Photo Submissions from Previous Years: