Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey provided an update today on the progress of the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), highlighting the continued growth of this initiative aimed at providing free, high-quality books to children across the state of Alabama. Since Governor Ivey initiated the statewide expansion in August, the program has made significant strides, now reaching over 49,000 children.
“I am excited to see the rapid growth and response from communities across the state that are now serving children and families by providing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The enrollment numbers are encouraging, but our work isn’t done. We still have thirteen counties where the program is not available, and it is my goal for all children age five and younger in our state to be provided coverage.”
Governor Ivey’s primary objective is to ensure that every child becomes a successful reader by the 3rd grade. By offering opportunities for every child in Alabama to engage with books, the initiative aims to prepare infants and young children for future success. It all begins at home, with parents serving as their child’s first teachers, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library makes it possible for parents and families to open a book and read to their children, establishing a crucial foundation for early literacy.
“We have seen not only steady enrollment growth (almost 10,000 more children enrolled in Alabama since August), but a rapid growth of awareness and interest from local organizations across the state looking to get involved,” stated Dollywood Foundation Regional Director Kahla Williams. “We thank all the local communities and partners who have stepped forward to help pursue DPIL’s mission, and Governor Ivey for the personal approach her administration has taken to grow the program across the state.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to promoting a love for reading by gifting free books each month to children from birth to age five. The program collaborates with local partners to help fund and sustain the initiative. The state’s investment in the Imagination Library allows local partners to quickly launch book deliveries to as many children as possible across Alabama. These monthly book deliveries are provided free of charge to all children and families who sign up for the program.
“We are continuing to collaborate with communities across the state to provide full coverage in the partially covered counties and to find local community partners in counties where the program is not available,” said Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Acting Secretary Jan Hume. “To help bring these final counties on board, funding has been made available to cover the local cost for the first two years of the program, allowing the opportunity for the local community partner to fundraise and kickstart enrollment.”
State Senator Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) expressed his appreciation for the program, saying, “For our students to have a lifetime of success, we must put books in their hands during their formative years, and Governor Ivey understands that. I thank her for her continued leadership to champion programs that will make a difference for our children.”
Governor Ivey initially declared Alabama’s intent to participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during her 2023 Inaugural Address and followed through on her promise with Executive Order 729. She continues to encourage parents to register their children and take advantage of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a grassroots, community-based program. Our goal of serving nearly 200,000 children is within reach, and bringing these final counties on board will require strong partnerships and support on the local level,” said Governor Ivey. “We can’t miss this opportunity to inspire a love for reading and learning in our next generation of Alabamians.”
To learn more about becoming a community partner, please contact Kahla Williams at [email protected].
To enroll in this program and stay informed as it expands across the state, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since its launch in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the leading early childhood book-gifting program globally. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.4 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More®. The program’s impact has been extensively researched, with results indicating positive improvements in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
