📢 TOP STORY: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Surpasses 2 Million Books in Alabama — A Triumph for Kids Across the State ⚡ML
Over 2 million books have been sent to young readers in Alabama thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Gov. Kay Ivey said Monday.
The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free books each month to children from birth to age 5.
“Alabama is putting our children first. Our parents are our first teachers, and by supporting early learning at home, we are helping families build strong foundations long before a child ever enters the classroom,” Ivey said in a statement.
In 2023, Alabama launched a statewide expansion of the program, and by 2025, it was fully available in every county.
“I am proud that every young learner in all 67 counties has the opportunity to participate,” the governor said. “We will continue making early literacy a priority – with two million books now in the hands of Alabama children and more to come.”
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Ami Brooks said the milestone is a reflection of statewide collaboration.
“Reaching two million books in just over two years demonstrates the dedication of our state leaders, communities, partners and families. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is helping families foster a love of reading,” said Brooks.
The governor’s office said enrollment in the Imagination Library now includes more than 106,000 children across the state.
The program recently expanded again in August to include Alabama’s foster children.
According to the program’s website, Parton was inspired to start the Imagination Library in 1995 because of her father’s inability to read and write. Today, the program is available in five countries and has gifted over 300 million books to children around the world.
