Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program brings the magic of reading to children from birth to age five all around the United States. By managing and paying for the service locally, United Way of Whatcom County makes this program available for kids in every corner of Whatcom County. We’re so excited to be able to bring literacy resources to families in our community, and we love hearing feedback from those who are participating.
Imagination Library Fun Facts
Did you know?
- Approximately 4,500 Whatcom County children receive a book in the mail each month from this program— at no cost to families!
- Since we brought the Imagination Library program to our community in March of 2022, 7,797 children have participated in the program.
- Once or twice a week, we approve a registration for a child who has just been born, which means that baby will receive literacy support literally from day one!
- As of July 2025, parents and caregivers can opt in to receive bilingual English/Spanish versions of all books.
- Books are also available in audio and braille as needed.
- Over 165,000 books have been mailed to Whatcom County kids.
- United Way of Whatcom County has invested over $180,000 in this program to ensure it remains free and accessible to our community’s littlest learners.
We’re so happy to be able to provide this service for local kids. And the feeling is mutual.
Feedback from Families
Local families are loving this resource! We recently received survey data from 720 parents and caregivers with children who are receiving books. Based on their answers, we are thrilled to report the following:
- 96% of families surveyed described the quality and diversity of the books as good or excellent.
- 79% of respondents said they believe that participation in the Imagination Library program is helping to prepare their children for kindergarten.
- 86% of those who answered the survey said that other family members in the home are benefitting from the Imagination Library books. Examples include younger siblings, parents/guardians, and other family members living in the household.
- 73% of respondents indicated that they are reading more at home since they started receiving Imagination Library books, with 48% saying they are reading “a lot more.”
- 60% of respondents said that participating in the Imagination Library program helped them build a consistent reading routine at home.
We also received literally hundreds of heartwarming, positive comments from parents about the program. There were so many amazing sentiments, it was hard to choose which ones to share, but we did our best. Here are 10 of our favorites:
- “As a first grade teacher this program DOES impact children and is invaluable. The access to real books for families to read to their children is so powerful. THANK YOU”
- “My kids absolutely LOVE receiving their books in the mail… I don’t have the funds to buy a lot of new books, so this is something new and exciting for them; it’s a treat for my kids to get “gifts” in the mail. I appreciate this program and think it helps so many kids and families connect through reading, which is vital to a child’s growth and learning. Thank you, Dolly Parton!”
- “Being a single mom, it is so nice having a book show up through the mail. My son is always happy when one is in the mail. And he wants to read it over and over… multiple times a day he points to his books or brings one over so we can read.”
- “I have found the suggestions to parents on how to read to children have been most helpful to us. I now know how to read books in a more engaging way before I even start reading and after we finish a book. I love the parent suggestions!”
- “It’s a very exciting day when our daughter receives her book. We love using our local library but there is something different about having your own books. One of the books we received was about farm animals and it is her favorite book. She picks up this book more than anything else, even toys. As a parent who struggled to read as a child, I know this program is setting her up for a love of reading that I didn’t have. It will have life-long effects on her success.”
- “Thank you so much for this program. We love our local public library, but young kids need their own books that they don’t have to return. We read our daughter’s Imagination Library books over and over, and it’s definitely helping build a great foundation for literacy. My husband has been laid off twice since our daughter was born, and it means so much to us that we’re still able to get a new book every month.”
- “We are licensed foster parents, and we try to sign up each child we foster for the Imagination Library Program. For some of the children, it’s the only way they receive books.”
- “This program is such an amazing resource for our family. We are a single income family. Months we get our book in the mail it’s so so exciting for our kids. These books have helped us start a nightly routine and our kids are better for it. There are times when a book comes in and somehow it happens to be on a topic we’re struggling with like big feelings or trying new food etc. This program is priceless it’s giving our family something I never had as a kid.”
- “This program was life changing for our family. The surprise book in the mail monthly really kept us on track and focused on reading daily. We never strayed away from the practice because we were reminded monthly of what we needed. The fact that we got to keep the books was amazing because my children carry around their weekly favorite and even sleep with it next to their head. Their passion for books has skyrocketed and I as a mother couldn’t be more thankful. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
- “WE LOVE THIS PROGRAM!!!! Both of my children absolutely love when their book comes in the mail and they are always so excited to read it. I love the parent tips for ways to increase engagement while reading the book. For lower income families who struggle to afford books, this program is truly life-changing for developing young children’s language, social -emotional and pre-academic skills. We are so grateful that our county offers this program.”
Early Learning for All
Dolly started this program in honor of her own father, who grew up in poverty and never learned how to read and write. She knew he was a very smart man and wondered what his life could have been like if he had the opportunity to develop critical literacy skills. When she started the program in her own small county, it was very important to her that every child, regardless of income limitations, had access to books.
Thirty years later, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is available throughout the United States and in several other countries around the world. Dolly’s dream was to even out the playing field for all children by giving them access to literacy and fostering a love of reading. We’re so glad she did! And we’re so proud to play a role in delivering this program to our community’s kids.
For one last burst of feelgood inspiration, we’re including a letter shared with us by the Dollywood Foundation, written by a grateful parent of a child participating in the program.
Dear Dolly and the Imagination Library Team,
I want to take a moment to thank you for all the books you have sent my family. For almost five years my children have received books from your program, and they have been such a wonderful part of our lives.
Reading is deeply important to me because I did not learn how to read until much later in life than I should have. I determined long ago that I would make an effort to spend time reading to my children every day. I feel so blessed that they now love books as much as I do. My children are 2, 3, and 4 year-olds and each one will happily spend hours on my lap listening to story after story, and doing so is one of my greatest joys as a parent.
One of the most exciting moments in our home is when the children run to the mailbox to see if a new book has arrived. While we enjoy our local library, there is something extra special about having books of their very own to keep and treasure. As you know, books can be expensive, and this program has made it possible for my children to build a little library that belongs just to them.
Thank you, Dolly, and thank you to everyone on the Imagination Library team for your vision, generosity, and love for children. You are truly making a lifelong difference for families like mine.
With Love and Thanks,
Tina F.
If you’d like to sponsor one or more local children, allowing them to receive monthly books for a year, click here to give. To register a local child, visit our website.
Thank you to all of our wonderful donors, volunteers, and advocates! Your generosity supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, along with 24 other local nonprofits providing life-changing services to kids, families, and seniors throughout Whatcom County.