(The REPORTER) — Hamilton County has officially launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a nationally acclaimed book-giving program that delivers free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5 at no cost to families.
Children enrolled at birth will receive up to 60 books by the time they graduate from the program at age five.
The program is made possible through a unique public-private partnership. The Dollywood Foundation manages operations and secures books at a discounted rate, while local partners fund the mailing and program costs. In Hamilton County, the initiative is fully funded for its first three years by the Hamilton County Council, the State of Indiana, and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation. Sustaining the program beyond the initial three years will depend on ongoing community support and fundraising efforts.
“When we invest in early literacy, we’re planting the seeds for a stronger, more vibrant community,” County Councilman Ken Alexander said. “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library helps set children on a path to lifelong learning – and that’s the first step toward building a prepared, capable workforce for Hamilton County’s future.” Families and caregivers can register their children online at ImaginationLibrary.com. Once enrolled, each child will receive a personalized book mailed directly to their home each month. The first book typically arrives within 8 to 12 weeks of registration.
Following a soft launch earlier this month, Hamilton County has already registered more than 1,750 children – and the number continues to grow. The initiative is being coordinated by Hamilton County’s public libraries in collaboration with the Hamilton County Community Foundation.