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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands to Greene and Owen counties

By Joanie Dugan

Posted September 2, 2024

Dolly Parton sits and reads a book to four young children.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has distributed over two million books worldwide. (Courtesy Photo)

Kids in Greene and Owen counties can now receive free books every month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The United Way of South Central Indiana announced the launch of the program last week.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will send a free book to each child who participates every month until their fifth birthday. Parton launched the library in 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write.

Children from lower income households and rural communities have more limited access to books. The goal of the program is to make reading accessible to promote literacy and early educational success. It also encourages parents and caregivers to read to children to foster those relationships.

There’s already been a big response in both Greene and Owen counties.

“We're already over 300 kids just in Greene County,” said Kim Burgess, director of rural engagement at the United Way of South Central Indiana. “We're at like 120 kids in Owen County.”

Indiana’s literacy rates have been declining for a decade. According to this year’s IREAD results, one in five children did not demonstrate literacy proficiency.

Research shows reading to children in their early years improves their language and literacy outcomes later in life.

“It's pretty important that we get these kids learning these words way earlier than they're getting them now,” Burgess said.

Last year, the state government allocated $6 million in the budget to pay for half of the cost the reading program. Local agencies and partners are responsible for the other half.

The imagination library is partially funded by the Greene County Foundation and the Owen County Community Foundation. The United Way pays for the books and shipping costs.

Burgess said each book costs just over $2. The United Way accepts donations to help fund the program.

“It’s really cost effective,” Burgess said. “So, if you gave $125 for the life of the child, it would actually work for two kids, because the kid the state is paying for half of the of the total cost.”

Parents or guardians can enroll a child on the United Way’s website. It’s available to anyone, regardless of income level. Children will receive their first book about eight to 12 weeks after enrolling.

One in 10 kids in the US participate in the program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has distributed over two million books to children worldwide.