Their mission is simple. Give books to kids! Rebecca Johnson, Librarian and Founder of a new Seattle-based organization, Community Book Project, is committed to providing diverse, high-quality books and resources to kids. The new organization is partnering with Imagination Library of Washington and King County’s current Imagination Library affiliate, Africatown Community Land Trust, to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to more young children in the region. As a new funding partner, Community Book Project will be providing financial support to bring the Imagination Library to ten additional King County zip codes; 98103, 98106, 98107, 98109, 98116, 98117, 98119, 98126, 98136, and 98199.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to rapidly expand across Washington State, serving over 55,000 children between the ages of birth and five with a free book every month. With funding committed through the 2023 legislative session, Imagination Library of Washington provides a 50% funding match to all affiliates in Washington to assist with books and mailing costs. Funding partnerships are vital to the statewide expansion efforts, increasing the opportunity for families to register their children for monthly books through the Imagination Library.

Rebecca Johnson states, “Community Book Project was formed on the belief that book ownership is powerful and should be accessible to all children. Therefore, we are thrilled to be a part of the expansion of the Imagination Library in King County. Getting high-quality books into the hands of kids is something we are very passionate about and we're excited to support early literacy by helping children aged 0-5 receive a book each month!”

Rebecca’s passion behind creating Community Book Project was born from her love of reading, literacy, libraries, and community, and she believes all kids should have access to books of their own, no matter their socioeconomic status. The organization has plans of building three main programs that support their mission of getting books into the hands of children while closing the literacy gap for children in need. To learn more about Community Book Project, visit www.communitybookproject.org.

In 1995, Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library as a tribute to her father, whose inability to read inspired her to get more books into the hands of children and ignite a love of reading. To-date, the Imagination Library has gifted over 204 million books to children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

Eligible families can register their child to receive a free book in the mail each month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library here: www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/check_availability.