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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Is Beloved by Families—and Backed by Research
Author: Susan Gianforte, Montana First Lady

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Is Beloved by Families—and Backed by Research

Susan Gianforte

Montana First Lady

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has long been cherished by families. Now, new groundbreaking research confirms what parents, caregivers, and educators have known by experience: the program significantly strengthens early literacy skills and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

A study led by Dr. Claire Galea of United Way Australia surveyed more than 86,000 caregivers across five countries, tracking children from enrollment through to the end of their first year in the program. After receiving just 10 books, the results were striking—especially in the United States. Children enrolled in the Imagination Library were 11 times more likely to show interest in books, 15 times more likely to engage during shared reading, nine times more likely to initiate shared reading themselves, and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate early understanding of print concepts.

At its core, this research reinforces something simple but powerful: shared reading in the earliest years of life matters.

When I first learned about the Imagination Library from First Lady Fran DeWine of Ohio, I knew I wanted to bring the program to Montana as my First Lady Initiative. It is a scalable, replicable program with a proven track record of success. But what truly sets it apart is its accessibility. The books are provided to families at no cost and mailed directly to children’s homes—an especially critical feature in a rural state like Montana, where access can be a barrier.

And families love it.

As I travel across Montana, I consistently hear enthusiastic stories from parents and caregivers—stories now validated by research. Families describe how the program inspires a love of reading in young children, encourages parents and caregivers to read aloud together, and helps prepare children to be ready to read and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, was created more than 30 years ago in honor of Dolly’s father, who could not read or write. Its mission is simple and profound: to inspire a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Today, the program mails more than three million books each month worldwide. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth until their fifth birthday.

By June 2023, I had raised the funding to expand Imagination Library statewide in Montana. Today, more than 29,000 children—about one in two eligible Montana children—are enrolled. That is something to celebrate. But it also means there is more work to do.

Together, we can ensure even more Montana children benefit from this well-loved and research-based program. Whether you are a parent or caregiver, community advocate, or simply someone who loves Dolly Parton, I encourage you to help spread the word. The Imagination Library is available to all Montana children under age five.

Children’s future literacy can begin with something as simple as a book in the mailbox—and a caring adult ready to read it with them.

To enroll or learn more, visit https://www.montanaimaginationlibrary.org.