Sep 02, 2025 05:54PM●By MPG Staff
Dr. Dawnté Early of United Way California CapitalRegion announces the launch of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in SacramentoCounty at an Aug. 27 press conference at the Sacramento Central PublicLibrary. Courtesy photo
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County children frombirth to age 5 can now receive one free book in the mail each month, regardlessof family income, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Since starting in 1995, Dolly Parton's ImaginationLibrary has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting international program.The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hasgifted more than 280-million free books in the United States, Canada, UnitedKingdom, Australia and The Republic of Ireland through funding shared by TheDollywood Foundation and local partners.
The Imagination Library mails more than 3 millionhigh-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children's homes each month.Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month for children upto age 5 at no cost to families.
Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actress, author andbusinesswoman Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading andinspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more. Theprogram's impact has been widely researched and results demonstrate itspositive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library launched Aug. 27 inSacramento through a partnership between United Way California Capital Region,Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and The Dollywood Foundation.
Sacramento residents can sign up online at yourlocalunitedway.org/our-work/youth-opportunity/dolly-parton-imagination-libraryto receive the books.
United Way California Capital Region also managesDolly Parton's Imagination Library in Yolo County, which on Aug. 27 presentedits 100,000th book to a participating family.
"When we invest in a child's imagination, weinvest in their future," said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, UnitedWay California Capital Region. "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is morethan books. This program is about opening doors, sparking dreams andimagination, and making sure every child, no matter their zip code, has accessto books from an early age."
United Way and the Sacramento County Office ofEducation aim to enroll 65,000 children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Libraryacross the county, 65% of the population eligible, within five years.
"The Imagination Library is a simple idea with apowerful impact," said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County superintendentof schools. "By mailing a free book each month to children from birth toage 5, we're giving families the tools to build strong reading habits from thestart. This program supports our Sacramento County READS literacy initiativeand reflects our commitment to literacy, equity and early learning becauseevery child deserves the chance to thrive."
The program has received funding from United WayCalifornia Capital Region, Sacramento County Office of Education, City ofRancho Cordova, City of Sacramento, Kellogg Family Foundation, Rotary Club ofElk Grove and Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club, and is seeking additional funders tomeet their goal of serving all children in Sacramento County under age 5. Tolearn more about supporting the program, visit www.uwccr.org/dpilsupport.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, DollyParton's Imagination Library began in Sevier County, Tenn. where Parton grewup, and the library has expanded internationally.
In California, the Imagination Library is alsosupported by a 50% state match, administered through the California StateLibrary.
"We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of DollyParton's Imagination Library in Sacramento County, home to our state capitaland nearly 100,000 little learners," said Hallie Anderson, communityengagement coordinator for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of California."This partnership with United Way California Capital Region and SacramentoCounty Office of Education is a powerful investment in early childhoodliteracy, bringing Dolly's dream to life for many more children and inspiring alove of reading across the county."
United Way California Capital Region has been adriving force across the region for more than 100 years, listening, respondingand taking comprehensive action to meet local needs. From advancing youthopportunities and helping children excel in school to strengthening localcommunities and investing in families' financial security and health, UnitedWay mobilizes communities to build a future where everyone can reach their fullpotential and thrive. Working across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento andYolo counties, the local United Way provides books and literacy tutoring,addresses housing and food security, leads the region's largest tax-preparationinitiative, works with foster youth across school districts, launched theregion's first guaranteed income program and leads the Community Schoolsinitiative in West Sacramento. To donate, go online to YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
The Sacramento County Office of Education educatesmore than 30,000 children and adults each year, including thousands of districtteachers who attend training sessions and workshops. It provides supportservices to more than 253,000 students in 13 school districts. The SacramentoCounty Office of Education provides technical assistance, curriculum andinstructional support, staff development, legal and financial advice, andoversight to Sacramento County school districts.
Sacramento County Office of Education programs andservices are available to schools, districts and other county offices ofeducation across the region. Considered a leader of the Capital Service Region,a 10-county area consisting of Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer,Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties; it is one of 58 countyoffices of education in California. Sacramento County Office of Education staffprovide year-round services that complement and supplement those offered by publicschool districts in Sacramento County. For more information about theSacramento County Office of Education 's Sacramento County READS literacyinitiative, visit online www.scoe.net/sacramentocountyreads.
Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher ofDolly Parton's Imagination Library. For more information, go online to https://imaginationlibrary.com.
