Early Literacy Supported by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since 2020, parents across Ohio have been enrolling their young children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Ohio (DPILO) program. DPILO is the unique partnership between the State of Ohio and partners across 88 Ohio counties. Partners include children’s hospitals, United Way, local libraries, and other organizations invested in supporting early literacy initiatives. These partnerships ensure that all young children have access to free books.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program grew out of country star legend Dolly Parton’s desire to give all children the opportunity to learn to read. This act of generosity was to honor her own father. Starting in Sevier County, Tennessee in 1995, the Imagination Library program grew from Tennessee across the United States and now internationally with partners in all 50 states, Republic of Ireland, Australia, United Kingdom, and Canada.

The mission of Imagination Library is to inspire a love of reading. Once registered, children will receive a book at their home every month until their fifth birthday. Enrollment is free and accessible to all children aged 0-5. Books are available in English or Spanish bilingual. The first book generally arrives within three months of registration.

Books provided by the Imagination Library are selected by the Dolly Parton Foundation Blue Ribbon Committee assuring high-quality books for each age group of children. Each year, the Foundation publishes the book list so that families can know which books will be sent to their child. The selection includes classics to new award-winning authors. Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors is also always part of the mix.

Recent survey research from Macquarie University demonstrates that children who participate in Imagination Library are more likely to show interest in books and to have emerging literacy skills such as broader vocabulary and increased phonological awareness. Caregivers were shown to read to their children 4 or more days a week and to interact with the text such as describing images and counting objects.

Imagination Library provides book access to millions of children across Ohio and the world. In fact, as of March 2026, over 314 million books had been delivered.