Montgomery, AL –Last month the governor Kay Ivey kicked off the nationwide expansion of Dolly’s Imagination Library (DPIL), and the reaction from community members and parents across the state has been overwhelming.
Sixty counties have now been granted the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The most recent inclusion to Cherokee, Chambers and Morgan counties, an additional 10,000 children will now get free, high-quality, and quality books.
“My primary goal as governor is to ensure that every child becomes proficient in reading by the time they reach 3 3rd grade. Giving children the opportunity to read for free is among the most effective tools we have in achieving this objective,” said Governor Ivey. “Through our state’s collaboration and Dolly’s Imagination Library, we are providing parents and caregivers with the resources they require to be successful as the child’s primary teacher.”
Dolly’s Imagination Library is dedicated to encouraging a love for reading through the giving of monthly free books to children ranging from birth up to age five. It is a community-based program and is partnered with local partners in the program to support the funding and sustainability of the program. The state’s funding for the Imagination Library is allowing local partners to speedily launch delivery of books to the maximum number of children all across Texas. The books are delivered every month and are provided for free to every child and family who sign up to the program.
“As as a child I had difficulty in my speech and reading books were a great source of inspiration in my speech therapy sessions,” stated State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). “I will always be thankful for Governor Ivey’s dedication to ensure that books are available for children throughout Alabama. Through a partnership between Alabama’s state government as well as the Circle of Care for Families Children in Chambers County are now eligible to be provided with books. Lee County was previously enrolled as a child, and now all children in District 38 and their families can have access to more education and reading books.”
“While the response and enthusiasm for Dolly’s Imagination Library program has been positive, there’s plenty of work to be done,” said Department of Early Childhood Education Acting Secretary Jan Hume. “To ensure that every child can take part, we are currently seeking out more local program partners who are willing to assume the responsibility for the programme. Additionally, those who are already part of Imagination Library programs in Alabama must be expanding their capacity, and also registering more children and families into the program.”
The governor first announced Alabama’s intention to join the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during her 2023 Inaugural Address, and then delivering on her pledge by implementing Executive Order 729. Governor Ivey continues to urge the community and parents across the state to broaden the access to and increase the number of students who enroll in Dolly’s Imagination Library in Alabama.
“As we enter the fall and into the Christmas season, I’m asking parents and the communities throughout the state to show their assistance as we continue growing Dolly’s Imagination Library of Alabama,” stated Governor Ivey. “It is going to require a strong local and state-wide partnership to meet the state’s goal of providing more than 200,000 children with the program. However, taking this opportunity to instill an interest in reading and learning is one of the best presents we can give the children of our state.”
To learn more about becoming a community partner, contact Kahla Williams at kwilliams@imaginationlibrary.com.
To enroll in this program and learn more as it is expanded across the state, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since its launch in 1995, Dolly’s Imagination Library has become the most renowned early childhood book-giving program around the globe. The main initiative that is part of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation which has given away more than 200 million books at no cost across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.4 million quality, age-appropriate books per month to children aged from birth to five. Dolly was adamant about creating a lasting fascination with reading and inspiring children to dream more and learn More, Love More, more and be More(r).
The effect of the program has been extensively studied and the results show that it has led to positive growth in the key early childhood literacy measures. Penguin Random House is the sole publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
