Friends of the Ralls County Library

August 17, 2026

The Friends of the Ralls County Library met at 5:30 in the conference room of the library.

Members present were:

• Debbie Jameson, Library Director
• Gina Rodenbaugh, Library Board Treasurer
• Carolyn Trower, FOL Executive Board member
• Lisa Peterson, FOL Executive Board member and FOL Treasurer
• Chelsea Dehner
• Candance Campbell

Those that have said they are planning on being a part of the group but could not attend the meeting were:

• Linda Miller, FOL Executive Board member and FOL Secretary
• Jim Meyer
• Mary Howald
• Stephanie Cooper

I. Dolly Parton Imagination Library

• Dolly Parton Imagination Library is in the process of being returned to local control to the Friends of the Ralls County Library.
• Currently, the state of Missouri is funding books for 382 children in Ralls County. Budget cuts to education made by the state government have ended funding for DPIL and funds will run out this fall, possibly by the end of September 2026. New registrations ended on July 1, 2026.
• When the funds run out, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will transfer the enrollment information for the 382 Ralls County children to the Friends of the Ralls County Library DPIL database. Those children will continue getting monthly books
• without an interruption in service.
• New babies or children under 5 that are not currently enrolled can enroll online and the FOL will begin paying for their books as soon as their information has been processedby DPIL. So far 9 new Ralls County children have enrolled directly online with DPIL since the state quit taking new enrollments. Those 9 children will be on our bill.
• The Friends of the Ralls County Library is the only organization in the state of Missouri that has taken local control of DPIL so far. DPIL will only partner with a 501(3)c organization.

II. Funding for DPIL provided by Friends of the Ralls County Library–$2.84 per child per month.

• Lisa Peterson, Treasurer, reported that the Friend of the Ralls County Library currently has a total of $2,331.79 —- $2,181.79 in non-specified funds and $150.00 specified for the story walks the library has set up across Ralls County.
• The FOL will be sending out a solicitation letter at the end of October/November 1st to get money for DPIL. Volunteers will be needed to stuff and prepare envelopes for mailing–Chelsea and Candance volunteered to do this. In the past, this has been a great fundraiser as Ralls County people are generous!
• Other ideas discussed were setting up a table at county events to let Ralls Countians know about the Friends of the Library Group, to enroll children under 5 in DPIL, to recruit new members, and to ask for donations. Debbie will compile a list of dates the group could consider attending. Gina will send out an email to see if there is anyone available to “man” a table at each event. If anyone knows of specific dates, please let Debbie know. (Perry City-wide Garage Sale in Sept., Center Fall Fest, Perry Fall Fest?)
• Another idea was to have a bake sale at the Fall Festivals in any of the three towns–Center, Perry, New London.

III. Other things the FOL group can help with:

• Outdoor landscaping–the south end of the building still has room for more hydrangeas, the FOL usually purchases the flowers and the manpower for the flower pots by the front doors of the library.
•  Story Walks–currently, each city park has a story walk on display and there are plans to put one inside the outdoor classroom. There will be more expense to change the stories in the future.
•  Occasionally, the library needs volunteers to help at events or to provide refreshments for events.

IV. Next meeting:

The group present agreed to meet in early December to elect officers and make plans for 2027. Gina will send out some possible meeting dates and times that everyone can vote on as most convenient for them.

V. Current Exec. Board and Officers and ByLaws:

•  Executive Board–Lisa Peterson, Carolyn Trower, Linda Miller
•  Officers–President is vacant, Secretary is Linda Miller, Treasurer is Lisa Peterson
•  Gina will provide Friends of the Ralls County Library Bylaws to everyone in December. If you’d like a copy earlier Gina can email you one.