This September, Imagination Library of Washington and local program partners in all 39 counties in the state achieved a significant milestone: more than three MILLION Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books have been gifted to Washington children ages birth to five since the first local program was established in 2005. This milestone highlights the organization's ongoing commitment to early childhood literacy and underscores its positive impact on families and communities.

Brooke Fisher-Clark, Executive Director of Imagination Library of Washington stated, “What a remarkable, awe-inspiring achievement to have gifted 3 million books to Washington early learners! This is all made possible by the good people of this state who believe in providing our children with the best tools to equip them for lifelong success. Many thanks to our champion program and state agency partners who have contributed funding along the way to ensure books could get into the hands of Washington early learners; the 46 Imagination Library local program partners, Governor Inslee and team, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and the Washington Legislature.  Big thanks to all who have contributed to making an early learning impact, affirming Dolly Parton’s mission and dream.”

Imagination Library of Washington, established in 2022 as an official statewide program of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, works alongside local program partners in all 39 Washington counties to enhance early childhood literacy and bolster school readiness. Since inception, Imagination Library of Washington has worked tirelessly to foster a love of reading among children and help build a foundation for future success. Currently, over 118,000 children in Washington are receiving monthly books, reaching more than 1 in 4 of the early learners eligible for the program.

All eligible children in Washington (ages 0 to 5) can register for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library – at no cost to families. Each child enrolled in the Imagination Library receives a high quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month until the child's 5th birthday. While the program is free to registered families, the annual program cost to deliver new books each month is $26 per child. As the statewide program, Imagination Library of Washington provides half of the program costs ($13 per child per year) to local program partners, while the remaining funds are raised on the local level by Imagination Library program partners.

“Congratulations on 3 MILLION books into the homes and hearts of Washington families! The Dollywood Foundation is so thankful for Governor Inslee, the Washington General Assembly, our state partner, United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, along with the countless friends and local partners across Washington who have made this dream come true. Thank you for supporting Dolly's dream that all children grow up in a home full of books!” shared Nora Briggs, North America Executive Director of The Dollywood Foundation.

The program has grown exponentially over the last year, thanks to the support of local partners, donors, and advocates who believe in the power of reading. Since Dolly Parton’s special visit to the state of Washington last August, enrollment in the Imagination Library has grown 81%. With a focus on expanding program reach to underserved and rural communities, the Imagination Library of Washington continues to ensure that no child is left behind.

Key partnerships have been formed to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and raise awareness about this important early literacy program. Notable collaborators include the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Washington Courts system, Little Free Library, and Seattle Reign FC, among others. Looking forward, the Imagination Library of Washington aims to build on this momentum and continue expanding its reach. The goal is to enroll at least 65% of eligible children in the state, ensuring that regardless of location or background, young children have access to books that will inspire them to dream, learn, and grow.

To support Imagination Library of Washington and learn more about how to enroll a child, visit imaginationlibrarywashington.org.