Kanawha County

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of WV is a book gifting program that mails high-quality books promoting early literacy and school readiness to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income or zip code. West Virginia is one of only 20 states that boasts statewide availability of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) program, which requires funding to sustain its actively enrolled 52,000 children. 

The total 60-volume home library includes titles which promote self-belief, emotional awareness, interpersonal skills, and overall positive themes, starting with “The Little Engine That Could,” and ending with “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”

The long-term goal of DPIL of West Virginia is to provide every child access to high-quality developmentally appropriate literary material. As a result of the program, schools receive a better prepared kindergartener and studies have proven by 3^rdgrade, DPIL graduates outperform their non-DPIL peers in academic testing. Statistics also reflect higher graduation rates, positively impacting economic and workforce development and  substance use prevention.