The Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation, the Ogden School Foundation, and the Weber School Foundation have entered a partnership to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, according to an October 11 report. This collaboration aims to provide books to children in the Weber County area.
The partnership was formed to help raise funds and provide age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Emily Oyler, executive director of the Weber School Foundation, stated that the program helps families build home libraries and encourages a love of reading before children enter a classroom. The initiative involves Operation Literacy as the statewide partner facilitating the program.
Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation Chairman Steve Handy said the foundation began soliciting interest from the Ogden and Weber School Foundations last January. During the 2026 Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo, a booth for the program distributed approximately 2,500 free books to attendees. Handy noted that the foundation has worked with youth groups like the Boys & Girls Club of Weber-Davis but sought to branch out through this new initiative.
The Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation has raised nearly $31,000, including $30,000 from various partners and $1,000 from attendees at the 2026 rodeo. Brynn Murdock, executive director of the Ogden School Foundation, explained that the school foundations act as fiscal agents by gathering donations and submitting funding to cover costs in Weber County. The foundation has completed a memorandum of understanding with the school foundations and Operation Literacy.
The partnership is intended to last for at least three years, with efforts to increase fundraising through 2027. Interested donors can contribute by visiting the websites of the Ogden School Foundation or the Weber School Foundation.
