Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Launches Across Oregon
Oregon invests in $1.7 million in funding for the free book distribution program
“My daughter loves her Imagination Library books! They bring her joy every night when we read. Thank you so much for making this possible for all our children in this community!”
A Lane County child reads their Imagination Library book on the coast in Florence.
Thousands of children across the state of Oregon now have more ways to build their home libraries and cultivate a love of reading. On May 7, Oregon state officials announced the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The announcement means that the state will work toward making the program available to all children ages 0-5 in every Oregon county thanks to $1.7 million allocated through Senate Bill 5506 to the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).
“We know that every child is full of promise,” Governor Kotek said. “And the expansion of this program across Oregon is another key step we are taking as part of a broader strategy to improve how we support our kids as they learn to read.”
Since launching in 1995, the goal of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is for every child under age five to enroll and receive a free monthly age-appropriate book, mailed straight to their home. The Imagination Library of Oregon will aim to increase childhood literacy rates, foster a love of books, and promote a culture of reading among all families in the state.
Once enrolled, each child receives one book every month from birth to age five - at no cost to families, thanks to shared fundraising by The Dollywood Foundation and local community partners like United Way of Lane County and the Early Childhood Hub of Lane County. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills.
“You can never have too many books given to too many children,” said Margie Lowe of the Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub. “In the past two years, I have discovered that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library brings joy to those who support bringing the books as well as to those who cuddle up with a small child to read the books. It is truly a wonderful program.”
Imagination Library in Lane County
United Way of Lane County funds this program for families in rural locales in Lane County, including Oakridge, Pleasant Hill, Veneta, Dorena, Elmira, Cottage Grove, Junction City, Florence, and more.
57% of eligible rural Lane County children are currently enrolled thanks to United Way recruitment efforts. Since launching in 2019, we have helped to distribute nearly 90,000 books to rural Lane County children, with over 23,000 books distributed in 2023 alone.
“I am so deeply moved by the giving of these books and what it means to families... The books that are given I know were selected with much thought and we are so excited to see what the future books will be! My little [daughter] loves her books and I am so happy we have tangible ways to learn how to read!”
In addition to mailing books, Imagination Library also aims to equip parents to inspire a love of reading in their children.
Thankfully, every child in Lane County is eligible for the program, thanks to other local affiliates funding the program, including Eugene Public Library Foundation, Springfield Young Readers, McKenzie River Foundation, and Lowell/Fall Creek Education Foundation.
“When state government partners with organizations like DPIL, we can truly make Oregon a better place to live, learn, and raise a family,” House Democratic Leader Ben Bowman said. “Because of this program, many thousands of Oregon kids will learn to love reading. I am sincerely grateful to all those who played a role in developing this program in Oregon--and to Dolly and the entire team at DPIL for their vision in starting it.”
Check out this quick video announcement about the statewide launch, featuring Dolly Parton.
To register for Imagination Library in Lane County, visit earlychildhoodlane.org/imagination-library. Families in Oregon who are already registered with existing programs do not need to re-register and will continue to receive books without any interruptions.
To give to Imagination Library in Lane County, give today at unitedwaylane.org/donate.