Montgomery, AL –Governor Kay Ivey provided an update today on the status of the expansion across the state of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), in which she highlighted the ongoing development of the initiative that aims to provide free, high-quality books to children in all of Alabama. Since Governor Ivey started the expansion of the state in August the program has made notable progress, reaching more than 49,000 kids.
“I am thrilled to witness how quickly the growth has accelerated and responses from the communities across the state which are currently helping families and children by establishing Dolly’s Imagination Library in Alabama,” stated governor Kay Ivey. “The number of children enrolled is positive, but our work isn’t finished. There are 13 counties where coverage isn’t available and it is my desire for every child who are five years old or less across the state of Texas to receive protection.”
Governor Ivey’s first goal is to make sure that each child is a proficient reader by the time they reach 3rd grade. Through providing opportunities for all children in Alabama to read and engage in reading, the project is designed to help prepare young children and infants for the success they will enjoy in the future. The process starts at the home, where parents serve as the child’s first teachers Dolly’s Imagination Library makes it possible for families and parents to pick up a book or read aloud to the children, creating the foundations for literacy in the early years.
“We have not seen only steady growth in enrollment (almost 10,000 more kids enrolling in Alabama from August) and a soaring rise in awareness and excitement from local groups across the state that want to participate,” stated Dollywood Foundation Regional Director Kahla Williams. “We are grateful to all local communities and partners that have joined forces to further DPIL’s goals, and governor Ivey for the individual approach her administration has adopted to increase the size of the program throughout all of Alabama.”
Dolly’s Imagination Library is dedicated to creating a love for reading through the gift of monthly free books to children ranging from birth until five years old. The program works with local partners in order to finance and sustain the program. The state’s funding for the Imagination Library allows local partners to speedily start delivery of books to the greatest number of children across Alabama. The monthly deliveries of books are offered free of charge to families and children who enroll in the program.
“We continue to collaborate with local communities across the state to ensure full coverage for the not covered counties as well as to identify communities that have local partners which the program isn’t accessible,” said Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Acting Secretary Jan Hume. “To assist in bringing these last counties into the program, money is being made available to help cover local cost for the initial 2 years in the program, which will provide the each community member to raise funds and get the program started.”
State senator Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) expressed his gratitude for the program, stating, “For our students to achieve their goals for the rest of their lives it is imperative that we put them in the hands of books throughout their primary years. Governor Ivey is aware of this. I am thankful for her steadfast determination to promote programs that can bring about a positive change for our kids.”
Governor Ivey first announced Alabama’s intention to join Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during her 2023 Inaugural Address. She followed through in her word through the Executive Order 729. Governor Ivey continues to urge parents to sign up their children as well as take advantage from Dolly’s Imagination Library in Alabama.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a grassroots community-based initiative. Our vision of providing services to nearly 200 million children is in reach. And bringing these counties to the table will require solid partnerships and support at the local and state levels,” said Governor Ivey. “We must not miss this chance to encourage a love of reading and learning among our future generation of Alabamians.”
To learn more about becoming a community partner, please contact Kahla Williams at kwilliams@imaginationlibrary.com.
To enroll in this program and stay informed as it expands across the state, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since its introduction around 1995, Dolly’s Imagination Library has become the top early childhood book-giving program worldwide. The most popular programme that is part of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation that has distributed more than 200 million books for free across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.4 million age-appropriate, high-quality books per month to children from birth until age five. Dolly was determined to create a lasting enthusiasm for reading, and encouraging children to dream more Explore More, Be More, Take Care More, and be More(r). The program’s effects have been thoroughly studied with positive results. improvement in important early childhood literacy indicators. Penguin Random House is the sole publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
