The Imagination Library

The Imagination Library is a book gifting program that was initiated by Dolly Parton in 1995. It was first launched in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Parton was born, with the mission to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families. The program was inspired by Parton's own father's inability to read and write, driving her to make a significant impact in the field of education and literacy.

Under the Imagination Library, registered children receive one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from birth until they begin school, no matter their family's income. The books are mailed directly to the children's homes to encourage reading and parent-child engagement from a very early age.

Since its inception, the program has grown exponentially and has been replicated across the United States and in several other countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library has gifted over 100 million books as of my last update, and it continues to pursue the goal of inspiring a love for reading in children everywhere. The success of the program lies in its ability to reach children during the crucial early years of development, providing them with the building blocks for improved literacy skills that are essential for their future academic and personal success.