Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

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Joplin Public Library wants to spread the word that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available to ALL Missouri Children age 0-5.  This was made possible by legislation (Section 178.694 RSMo) that identifies school districts as the local partner for this initiative. Full funding was included in DESE’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget to establish and administer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for all children in Missouri age 0-5. There is no cost to parents or schools for the books or the postage to deliver them.

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. 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. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community or State Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.6 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five – at no cost to families. 

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 widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit ImaginationLibrary.com.

The library’s role in this project is to help promote the program to area children and families.  From birth to age five, registered children receive a free book each month. To learn more and register, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/MOSOUTHWEST/

If you need help signing up for the program, please come into the library and our Children’s Service Desk would be happy to assist you.