What does Dolly Parton's Imagination Library do?

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a nonprofit program under The Dollywood Foundation, established by Dolly Parton in 1995. Its mission is to promote early literacy by providing free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five. The program began in Sevier County, Tennessee, and has since expanded to serve families across the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Each enrolled child receives one book per month, potentially building a collection of 60 books by the time they enter kindergarten. The books are carefully selected for age appropriateness and are exclusively published by Penguin Random House. The program has achieved significant milestones, including distributing over 200 million books globally, with more than 2.5 million books sent out each month. Funding comes from Dolly Parton, The Dollywood Foundation, and local partners, ensuring that the program remains free for families. Local affiliates help manage registrations and book deliveries, making literacy accessible to all children, regardless of family income.