Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Program Overview

The mission of the Imagination Library is aligned with Lake Area United Way to improve early childhood literacy and lower the high school dropout rate.
The program is open to children from birth to age five who live in Muskogee and Cherokee Counties of Oklahoma. An age-appropriate book is mailed to the child's home at no cost to the families. The cost of the book, shipping and handling, and administrative costs are paid by a grant from Lake Area United Way and other community funders.The cost per year for each child is $30.00. If a child is enrolled at birth, they will have a home library of 60 books by the time they are five.
We know families who have problems securing housing, food, and keeping the lights and water on are not buying books for their children. The Imagination Library meets a need in our community in a unique fashion. Having the books in their home provides for immediate access and more opportunities for more parent/child literacy interactions. These interactions may even
convince an adult whose reading is marginal or even nonexistent to seek
assistance to increase their own literacy skills.
The goals of Lake Area United Way - Dolly Parton Imagination Library are to: increase the number of books in homes of families; increase literacy activities; increase parent-child reading interaction; Increase the child's interest in reading; increase parent awareness of the child's reading level.

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Comments from a parent survey:

• He loves when we read to him
• my children love seeing the books in the mail, their eyes light up when they see them
• we read to our child three times a day and he looks forward to when we read to him. He loves books
• Her excitement when it comes in the mail is priceless!!
• Yes! They love getting new books. Their dad works in the military and police force so getting to read with their daddy is a blessing and always look forward to it
• they look forward to "their mail"
• She adores books of any kind and receiving mail, so this combines both those loves into one and she couldn't be happier!
• He loves getting books in the mail. We read them right away.
• They love books but having one come in the mail addressed to them is pretty special.
• They love when it's book day! They really enjoy the stories.
• My kids eyes light up when I tell them we have received a new book. They can't wait to get home, eat dinner, and get ready for bed on the days we receive a new book, because they know that once they are in bed we can read the new book.
• Both children are on the program and receive books. They are 5yrs and 3 1/2 yrs. Both are extremely excited to read the books as they come in the mail & they never get tired of them.
• My kids are super excited that they get books in the mail!
• They anticipate the books coming and can't wait to check the mail!
• Katherine, my 8 months old little girl, has only received one book so far, The Little Engine that Could, and she loved it. She loves books. She loves flipping through the pages and seeing the bright colors. I can't wait to see more of the books my daughter will receive.
• My daughter is 11 months old, and LOVES books.
• Every time we get a new book, we have to sit down and read it right then! Both my kids love getting new books in the mail!
• Reading has always been important to us. We read at least one book per day, usually more.
• They want to read their books as soon as they arrive & some have become their favorites.
• We really enjoyed the Little Engine that could and read it several nights in a row.
• She loves "reading." She likes to to do it on her, but when it is bedtime we will read to her.
• He's really fascinated with the books when we're reading to him
• You can't beat a new book in the mail!

• He can't talk yet but if he could he would ask me to read to him more!
• He's only 9 months but he'll crawl towards the books if he sees them
• They want to read their new books right away & often.
• My 3 1/2 asked to read the intro book several times and asked lots of questions about the pictures in the book!
• It gives my kids an opportunity to have so many more books than i could afford on my own. We are so thankful!
• Hearing him try to read the book himself. He's getting better
• The surprise of not knowing what book is coming!
• I like that the books aren't limited to their age group. For instance I love that not all of his books are board books. Yes those books work better for his age group but he loves what he refers to as big kid books. He loves to turn the pages himself without tearing them.
• It is so exciting to get a new book each month and so fun to read to my baby.
• I like how happy my daughter gets when new books arrive
• I think it's a wonderful opportunity for kids to read and learn as they grow
• Getting a new book each month
• I like that the books are at no cost to the family
• That is designed to give children an opportunity to receive new books each month
• The variety it provides.
• The books are durable. Good stories
• Books can be so expensive and since we are blessed by this every month it has changed our children's view on reading. Our oldest makes As in reading and our younger children love when she reads to them.
• The surprise of what book is going to be in the mail
• Exposes me to books I may not have considered before and some of them become new favorites.
• The great selection and quality of the books we receive.
• They're good quality books. I especially like the ones that have Spanish words in them. They help my kids learn a little Spanish.
• It's something my child looks forward to each month.
• The great quality of the books and variety! They always look forward to getting a new one!
• The books are colorful and the kids love them!
• The endless opportunities for different conversations.
• It gives my kids way more options to read and every book we get is a great one! I love love love this program! My kids have more books than we would normally be able to afford!
• The variety of books. My child has loved every book that he has received so far!
• She loves getting a book in the mail just for her!
• I love that they get excited about receiving/reading them. It makes them feel special I think & that's a good association to have with books.
• It's such an awesome program. My children love getting their book in the mail each month. I feel like it really encourages them to read more and they are developing a love for reading at such an early age. It makes my heart happy.
• What I like the most about the Imagination Library is the level of books we receive. They are never to detailed an always keep the attention of my children.
• The books you send are always of great quality. My son loves them.
• The excitement of the new book coming in the mail. It makes for a great day(s) at my home
when the child gets to receive a gift in the mail.
• The books are wonderful and very diverse.... We are Spanish and English speaking and some books are bilingual or have Spanish words in them!
• Get books I have never heard of before!
• I love the variety of the books !
• The books come in the mail and my kids live the surprise of getting mail of their own.
• I love that my little girl gets new books to help grow her love of reading. Right now, she can't read, but I love no matter how are finances are I am guaranteed to have my daughter reading.
• The excitement my child gets a book for HER comes in the mail. She can barely wait to open and read it right then. Also love how it gives everyone the opportunity to own their own books, no excuses because of Dolly's generosity! Thank you
• I currently have 2 children enrolled in the program, and I'm glad they receive different books each month. It makes them happy to receive something unique from one another.
• I love the different books.. Colorful and the stories
• When I was a kid I loved receiving my own mail. I think it is equally as exciting for my
daughter to get her own mail.
• I love that it encourages us to read together and gives us something to look for in the mail
each time. She gets so excited to have "her own" mail!
• It opens us to read more books then what we have at the house already. Many of these books we won't come across. They have great lessons that turns into a learning opportunity.