Help Support Our Mission
Did you know that with the state match, for only $15.50 you can provide an Imagination Library book to a child each month for 1 year? And only $77.50 for 5 years! This is a great way to play a part in making the future brighter for children and families in your community.
If you’d like to support a California Local Program Partner directly, you can select them when filling out the form.
Imagination Library of California
The goal of the statewide expansion is to inspire a love of reading by making books available to all children from birth to age 5 in every zip code in California, regardless of the family’s income. Currently, 8.91% of eligible children in the state are receiving books, thanks in part to generous match funding from the State of California. As of March 2026, the Imagination Library has expanded to 42 counties across our great state — bringing us closer than ever to reaching every eligible child in California!
Receive a Free Book Every Month
Enroll your child in the Imagination Library and receive a FREE, age-appropriate book once per month. Check availability in your area and register your child today! Registration takes less than five minutes.
Early Literacy Matters!
By gifting children high-quality books starting at birth, all children have access to developmentally appropriate reading materials at no cost to the family and regardless of the family’s income. Built on decades of research, the Imagination Library is rooted in the knowledge that having books at home fosters a love of books and helps children develop literacy skills early in life.
3+ Million
books and counting have been delivered in California since 2023
200,000+
California children currently receiving books
8.91%
of children in California under 5 are currently enrolled
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How it Works
Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. Countless parents have shared how excited their child is when their new book arrives each month. Many groups and individuals work hard behind the scenes to make that special moment possible for each child.
The Imagination Library provides the infrastructure of the core program including managing the secure central database for the Book Order System and coordinating book selections and wholesale purchasing. It also incurs the cost of the program’s administrative expenses and coordinates the monthly mailings.
Help Us Reach Every Child In California
The Imagination Library of California is on its way to becoming available in every county! Community programs raise 50% and the State matches 50%. As more children enroll, community programs must raise more funds to keep the momentum going and ensure that every child in every zip code is eligible to register for free books.
CA In The News
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Dr. Seuss Foundation partner to boost local literacy
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Governor Newsom proclaims Dolly Parton Day
The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:
PROCLAMATION
Today, as we all tumble out of bed and pour ourselves a cup of ambition, we also set out to live life in a way that would make Dolly Parton proud.
Parton is known for songs like “9 to 5” — a song we reference today on 9-2-5 — and “I Will Always Love You,” which Whitney Houston covered to global acclaim. She was enormously successful not only as a singer, but also as a songwriter and actress. She was beloved not just for her talent, but for how she made people feel, how she connected with people from every community and background. She empowered people through both her music and her philanthropy, using her voice and resources to support communities while expecting nothing in return.
California celebrates Dolly Parton for her legacy of bringing books to children
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California is proud to be among the first states bringing DPIL’s Bilingual (English/Spanish) Book Option to Families
How many children can you, your business, or organization sponsor?
Click below to help put more books into the hands of children in California!
Team California
Melinda Ramos-Alatorre
State Director
Kalifa Madden
Communications Manager
Tom Burley
Partnerships Manager
Hallie Anderson – NorCal
Community Engagement Coordinator
Manisha Braithwaite – Los Angeles
Community Engagement Coordinator
Erika Gamboa Martinez – Central
Community Engagement Coordinator
Chrissy Green – San Diego
Community Engagement Coordinator
Melinda Ramos-Alatorre
State Director
Kalifa Madden
Communications Manager
Tom Burley
Partnerships Manager
Hallie Anderson – NorCal
Community Engagement Coordinator
Manisha Braithwaite – Los Angeles
Community Engagement Coordinator
Erika Gamboa Martinez – Central
Community Engagement Coordinator
Chrissy Green – San Diego
Community Engagement Coordinator