As the number one early literacy program in the nation, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is fostering a love of reading and books for little ones all over the world. Today, ALL families with young children in Skagit County, from birth to age five, are now able to register their children for free books from the Imagination Library thanks to new program affiliate, United Way of Skagit County. Washington now has 45 local affiliates serving over 58,000 kids with monthly books. 

United Way of Skagit County joins two additional affiliates serving families through the Imagination Library; Fidalgo and Anacortes Rotary Clubs, and the Rotary Club of La Conner. In Skagit County alone, over 7,300 children are eligible for the program, with 4.6% currently registered for a free monthly book.

“Expansion momentum continues, as we celebrate the completion of Skagit County, thanks to new affiliate United Way of Skagit County who took on the remaining uncovered regions to uplift their early learners. This is such an exciting time for the Imagination Library of Washington team, and affiliates as we near the finish line of statewide program access completion. All the work, energy, and passion put into this by our affiliate and state program team are all worth it for the thousands of smiles these books in homes will create,” stated Imagination Library of Washington Executive Director, Brooke Fisher-Clark.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails high quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth up to age five, at no cost to the family. Books are carefully selected each year by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee and meet the different needs of children as they progress from birth to age five. Two bilingual books per age group each year are also included in the program, with California recently launching a fully bilingual program where families can select to receive their child’s books in both English and Spanish. Plans are underway to expand the bilingual program for all registered children in 2024.

Since launching in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee where Dolly grew up, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has gifted over 204 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.

Families living in Skagit County can register their children online for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library by visiting www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/check_availability.

The Imagination Library of Washington is continuing program expansion efforts, with the mission of ensuring equitable access to books for all children from birth to age five. To stay up to date with statewide program advancements, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.