All Alabama children under 5 are now eligible to receive one free book per month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!
Governor Ivey announced that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available in all 67 counties in Alabama. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation is the early childhood book-gifting program that provides one book per month for children birth to age five, at no cost to families.
“Ensuring that children in every county across our state have access to books at home is one of the most important ways we can support families and caregivers in being their child’s first teacher. Reading with young children from the time they are born builds language, healthy relationships, and a love of reading,” said Jan Hume, Acting Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. “We are proud to partner with Governor Ivey, The Dollywood Foundation, and the many Local Program Partners across the state to provide this strong foundation for future school success.”
Governor Ivey announced a statewide expansion, with a 50% funding match from the state of Alabama, in January 2023. The expansion officially launched in August of 2023. Since then, 22 Local Programs have been created and there was a 106% increase in registered children. There are currently more than 82,000 children registered for the program in Alabama.
“I’m thrilled that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available to all children under 5 years old in Alabama. This program has enormous impacts on early literacy and school readiness, and now those benefits extend across the state,” said Kaelyn Christian, State Director for the Imagination Library of Alabama.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library operates as a partnership between The Dollywood Foundation, the State of Alabama, and Local Program Partners who passionately administer the program in their counties.
“We are so grateful to our Local Program Partners for their willingness to step in and bring this program to the children in their communities,” said Christian.
Register a Child
All Alabama children under five are eligible to enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. To receive books, parents or guardians simply need to register their child. Registration is quick and easy—enroll now!