A Major Milestone: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Reaches Every Corner of Oregon
In a significant step forward for early childhood education, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has now reached children across all 36 counties in Oregon. This makes Oregon the first state in the U.S. to provide over 3.3 million free, age-appropriate books to its youngest readers—from birth to age five—no matter their family’s income level.
The journey began back in 2011 when the program was first introduced in parts of Oregon. Today, it ensures that every child under five can receive a new, high-quality book every month. Each book is thoughtfully chosen to spark imagination and encourage a love of reading during the most formative years of a child’s development.
What started in 1995 as a small initiative in Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, has grown into an international movement for childhood literacy. By 2004, the Imagination Library had expanded statewide in Tennessee, followed by Canada in 2006, the United Kingdom in 2007, and Australia in 2014. Today, the program sends out more than one million books each month to children around the world.
Oregon’s recent achievement was made possible through a public-private partnership established in May 2024. The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) now covers 50% of the cost of books and mailing, while local communities raise the remaining funds. Libraries, civic groups like Rotary clubs, and charitable organizations—such as the Betsy Priddy Fund through the Oregon Community Foundation—joined forces to bring the program to every ZIP code in the state.
As of now, approximately 65,000 children in Oregon—about 30% of the state’s children under age five—are actively enrolled in the program. Families across the state have welcomed over 3.3 million books into their homes since the program’s Oregon launch, turning everyday mailboxes into doorways to imagination and early learning. Douglas County is currently completing the final stages of implementation, with the last ZIP codes expected to join the program soon.
“Oregon’s communities have shown what’s possible when we unite around early literacy,” said Laurie McNichols, who became the program’s State Director in August 2024. With over 14 years of experience in the literacy nonprofit sector, including her work at SMART Reading, McNichols has led enrollment and outreach efforts across the state. DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee added, “This milestone means children across Oregon will grow up with books in their hands, stories in their hearts, and brighter futures ahead.”
Now that the program is accessible statewide, the next step is to grow participation and strengthen connections with families. Local partners are organizing reading events, workshops for caregivers, and community storytelling sessions to help build a deeper love for books in every home. Oregon’s achievement stands as a powerful reflection of Dolly Parton’s vision—that “libraries are the heartbeat of every community” and that access to books can truly transform lives.