Despite strong advocacy from partners, families, and early learning champions across the state, funding for Imagination Library of Washington was not included in the 2026 supplemental operating budget signed by Governor Ferguson on April 1. For years, free, high-quality books have reached children and families across Washington through a unique three-way partnership among the State of Washington, The Dollywood Foundation, and 44 Local Program Partners serving communities in most every county. 

With the State’s decision to discontinue its 50 percent funding match and statewide support, that partnership model is no longer sustainable. Imagination Library of Washington will continue providing the 50 percent state match to Local Program Partners through June 30, 2026, at which time the current funding ends, the statewide program will conclude its statewide operations.

“This is a heartbreaking loss to our team, our local Imagination Library partners, and, most importantly, the over 85,000 children across Washington who receive books each month,” stated Brooke Fisher-Clark, Executive Director of Imagination Library of Washington. This loss of funding will result in Imagination Library of Washington pausing statewide operations for the foreseeable future, until efforts can be made to restore state funding during the 2027 legislative session. As the 501(c)(3) that worked incredibly hard to successfully establish Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as a statewide program in 2022 and expand coverage to every county in Washington State, ILWA is incredibly proud of the impact this work has had on children and families across our state.”

While this loss of funding is deeply disappointing, we are optimistic that many local Imagination Library programs plan to continue serving children with support from their communities. Early literacy is foundational to a child’s long-term success, and access to books helps create opportunity, strengthen families, and build brighter futures.

We remain grateful to the partners, families, and advocates who have helped expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across Washington, and we remain hopeful there will be an opportunity to pursue renewed state support in the 2027 legislative session.