The Imagination Library continues to inspire with statewide expansions and milestone achievements.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library opens a new chapter this summer as the program celebrates a significant milestone in early childhood literacy, while continuing its expansion efforts with the rollout of new statewide programs!
Dolly’s book-gifting program has gifted over 211 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. As we enter into summer, the Imagination Library continues to inspire more children around the world to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
200 Million Reasons to Celebrate
Thanks to over 2,800 local affiliates around the world who are dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has reached a remarkable milestone, surpassing 200 million books gifted globally since the program’s inception in 1995!
To commemorate this global milestone, seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be
randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month
(September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program around the world. (Children must be enrolled by July 31, 2023, to receive Imagination Library books in September).
Seven random children/families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP, on behalf of the child, to their Local Imagination Library Partner as a thank you to those who Dolly calls the true heroes of her program.
To learn more, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/200-million-books.
The Imagination Library Expands Statewide in California and Montana
Dolly’s renowned early childhood literacy program has recently made significant strides in expanding its reach by launching statewide expansions in California and Montana. These expansions mark an exciting development in providing access to free books for children in these states, furthering the program's mission of inspiring a love of reading and learning in children from birth to age five.
In addition, California is the first state to provide a bilingual book language option where children and their families can elect to receive 100% bilingual English/Spanish books. When California’s statewide expansion is complete, it will be the largest Imagination Library statewide program in the nation.
Made possible by bipartisan legislation which was signed into law by Governor Newsom last year, it allows
all California children under the age of five the eligibility to enroll in the program and receive a free book every month, regardless of household income. The program is currently active in areas across 30 counties in California. With this expansion, the program is expected to fully cover the entire state, providing universal access to free books in the mail every month, including bilingual options, for approximately 2 million children over the next several years.
In Montana, free books are now available to children ages birth to five years old in every county, regardless of household income. Montana’s Imagination Library currently has 63 local program partners serving more than 13,000 of the state’s nearly 61,000 eligible children under age five. Montana is the sixteenth state to commit to achieving statewide coverage, with First Lady Gianforte announcing her Treasure State Foundation is supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in all 56 Montana counties.
Summertime Books to Spark Imagination
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and learning by gifting books, free of charge, to families via funding shared by Dolly and local community partners. Summer is a wonderful time of year to spark the imagination, not only by spending more time playing, but also by spending more time reading! Here are a few of the specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this summer.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer
In this vibrant book by Eric Carle, join the Very Hungry Caterpillar on a sunny summer day and enjoy everything the season has to offer!
Wonder Walkers
Imaginations will soar as readers take in the splendors of nature in this beautiful book by Micha Archer.
The Beastly Bunch
Celebrate the power of kindness and inclusivity with this vibrant, riotous picture book from Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Pippa Curnick, reminding readers that true fabulousness shines from within!
New to the Imagination Library?
Check availability in your area to register a child, sign up to receive a notification when the Imagination Library becomes available to you or learn more about how to Start A Program in your area.
