Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Developed in 1996 by writer and singer Dolly Parton, the Imagination Library is intended to encourage a love of reading and learning. Her impoverished childhood and father’s illiteracy inspired the country legend to create the program in her native Sevier County, Tennessee. Since then, the Imagination Library has delivered over 25 million books around the world. Children enrolled in the program will receive a new, age appropriate book every month from enrollment through five years of age, for just $50 a year. From their first book, “The Little Engine That Could”, through the last book of the series, “Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come,” all books are reviewed and selected by a panel of experts. Studies show that if a child can read at grade level by the time she or he is in fourth grade, they increase their chances of succeeding in middle school and graduating on time from high school. This program gets children excited about reading and before they even enter kindergarten, they can have their own personal library. It also helps strengthen families by encouraging positive interaction between adults and children through shared reading. The Imagination Library is especially valuable for children in underprivileged families, who may find books to be an unaffordable luxury in today’s economic slowdown. The community is invited to support this effort by contributing to the fund for the Imagination Library and giving the gift of literacy to local children. United Way is the official affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in San Luis Obispo County and in 2009, Dolly Parton announced anchor partnerships for the program with United Way Worldwide and Rotary International. If you are interested in registering a child for the Imagination Library, call United Way at (805) 541-1234 and ask to speak with Imagination Library Coordinator Lily Aanerud.