Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free books to children from birth to age five. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts over 3 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world. There is never a charge to families who participate in the program and it is open to all children under the age of five in geographic areas with operating programs.
The Imagination Library in Clallam County
In December of 2020, United Way of Clallam County, with the support of North Olympic Library Foundation, and North Olympic Library System, became a local Imagination Library Program Partner. Today, the Imaginary Library is much beloved in Clallam County as it represents an easy and free way for families to acquire a collection of up to 60 carefully selected, high quality books that might otherwise be economically impossible for most working families. Children living in Clallam County can be signed up for the Imagination Library using the following link, or at any branch of the North Olympic Library System.
Enroll your child here.
(Left: United Way CEO Christy Smith and her husband, Chig Martin, meet Dolly Parton during the singer's visit to Washington State to celebrate statewide coverage of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.)
Imagination Library Books
Each year, the Imagination Library's Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts, is responsible for reviewing hundreds of potential titles for inclusion in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each book is customized with the child’s name and sent directly to their home from Dolly, creating a special gifting experience that makes reading exciting and lets the child know they are cherished.
Provide the gift of literacy for all children, birth to age five.
Inspire children to love books and reading.
Support parents and communities in fostering a child’s success.
Support the Imagination Library
Click HERE and select Imagination Library from the drop down list labeled "Optional."
Backed by Research
The largest-ever shared book reading study has found that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library dramatically improves early literacy for children in the United States alongside children across five other countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life.
The study found that across all countries evaluated, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is linked to stronger early literacy outcomes and richer reading experiences at home—helping close early literacy gaps by strengthening foundational skills, increasing the frequency of children being read to, and boosting children’s interest and engagement during shared book reading. It also shows the program builds positive family reading habits and traditions, with caregivers more likely to interact in meaningful ways (like talking about pictures and encouraging children to hold the book), reinforcing a warm, consistent home literacy environment that supports children’s learning and long-term success.
Children Enrolled in the Imagination Library Were
to be interested in books.
to initiate shared reading.
to be join in during shared reading.
to demonstrate concepts about print.
Enroll Your Child
If your child is under 5-years old, you can enroll them in the Imagination Library for free. They will receive one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month until they turn five.
If your child is already signed up for the Imagination Library and you need to update your information, please email imagination@nols.org.
Support the Imagination Library
Help us keep the Imagination Library free for all kids in Clallam County by making a donation today. Just $25 enrolls one child for a full year! Click the button below and select Imagination Library from the drop down field labeled "Optional."
Thank you for supporting literacy in our community!
Having books in the home is crucial for a child’s academic, social, and emotional development. Reading together fosters a unique bond between children and their parents or caregivers.
The Imagination Library extends this impact globally by providing books to children worldwide, free of charge, nurturing their minds and hearts.
By the Numbers
90% of physical brain development occurs in the first three years of life.
When a young child enters kindergarten ready for school, there is an 82% chance that the child will master basic skills by age 11, compared with a 45% chance for children who are not school-ready.
Later in life, at-risk children who do not receive high-quality early childhood experiences are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 40% more likely to become teen parents, and 60% less likely to attend college.
Investment in high-quality early childhood programs for at-risk children from birth to age five delivers a 7-10% annual return on investment through improved education, health, social and economic outcomes, increased productivity, and the reduced need for social spending.
Literary Resources
