Protecting Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

This week, the House of Representatives heard and passed the state budget. The current proposal includes no funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton’s early literacy program mails free books to children under the age of five regardless of income or location. The program grew to all 92 counties in Indiana with a matching grant of $6 million in 2023.

I support restoring and increasing state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. As of 2023, 1 in 5 third graders lacked basic reading skills. Future educational metrics, future workforce readiness, and future entrepreneurial goals depend upon success in early childhood. Dolly’s Library is free to the children enrolled, and local Imagination Library partners only pay 50% of their local program cost with the remaining 50% paid by the state. This program is a much-needed investment in Indiana’s future.

Dolly Parton’s team issued the following quote about the elimination of the program:

“We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state’s funding match for local Imagination Library programs. The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all — regardless of politics — because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed. For the past two years, the State of Indiana has been a proud partner in bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to over 125,000 Hoosier children each month. Together, we’ve helped nurture a love of reading, given families precious moments of joy, and built a foundation for lifelong learning.”