More than five (5) million Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books have been gifted to young Arkansas readers, thanks to a collaboration between The Dollywood Foundation, local program partners in all 75 counties, Arkansas Imagination Library, Arkansas Department of Education, and the University of Central Arkansas.
Searcy, ARKANSAS: In July, Arkansas Imagination Library and local program partners in all 75 counties will celebrate a statewide milestone: More than 5 million Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books have been mailed to the homes of Arkansas children, ages 0 to 5, since 2005. Jessica Holcomb, Literacy Coach in the Riverview School District and President of the White County Imagination Library Board stated, “DPIL is an incredible organization that we are excited to bring more awareness to throughout our county. Because of the partnership of each White County school district we will be able to increase our countywide enrollment, which in turn will enrich every child’s future educational experience and begin to develop an appreciation for lifelong reading. Through vital community partnerships DPIL enrollment is at no cost to families. Therefore every child has access to this opportunity until their 5th birthday. Again, we are excited to play a role in this organization that will bring positive outcomes to the families of White County.”
All school districts in White County have committed to partnering with The Dollywood Foundation in Tennessee and Arkansas Imagination Library to increase childhood literacy and promote school readiness in White County. Each system has provided financial backing as well as providing representation on the WCIL board. All eligible children in Arkansas (ages 0 to 5) can register for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library – at no cost to families. Each child enrolled in the Imagination Library receives one book per month in the mail until the child's 5th birthday.
To enroll a child and find a list of all Imagination Library program partners in Arkansas, visit arkansasimaginationlibrary.org.
Current Enrollment and Program Costs
Currently, approximately 84,000 Arkansas children (46% of the state’s total 0 to 5 population) receive books each month from local program partners around the state. Locally, 2521 children are currently enrolled in White County Imagination Library’s program The program costs $26 per child per year. Local program partners raise $13 of every $26 per child, while Arkansas Imagination Library provides the remaining $13 per child.
The Program’s Impact on Arkansas Students
Arkansas Imagination Library’s 2021 study showed that participation in the Imagination Library increased kindergarten readiness and third-grade literacy scores among Arkansas students by 18.26 percent. In 2023, ARIL and the Arkansas Research Center at the University of Central Arkansas analyzed Qualls Kindergarten Readiness Assessment scores of all Arkansas preschool children from 2013 to 2017. The analysis revealed that children enrolled in the Imagination Library performed 5 to 10 percent higher in all areas than unenrolled peers, particularly among low socioeconomic groups. This indicates that the Imagination Library program helps close both opportunity and achievement gaps.
Reducing Educational Disparities in Arkansas
By providing monthly books to all eligible children at no cost to families, the Imagination Library reduces educational disparities by ensuring that all children have access to a home library. According to the Arkansas Community Foundation’s Aspire Arkansas Report (2023), only 32 percent of Arkansas third graders are proficient in reading. Given that 85 percent of a child's core brain development occurs before age three, when vocabulary can predict third grade reading levels, early literacy is crucial (J.S. Hutton, 2015). Additional research links the presence of a home library with a significant boost in future academic achievement, regardless of socioeconomic status (Evans, M.D., 2014, 2017).
Dr. Charlotte Parham, Executive Director of Arkansas Imagination Library, stated, “Arkansas Imagination Library’s goal is to ensure access to quality books for ALL Arkansas children. Every child deserves to have his or her own home library…This is more than books. This is the future of Arkansas.”
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted more than 300 million free books to children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes every month. One in every 7 children under the age of five in the United States receives Imagination Library books.
Dolly Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
For more information, visit imaginationlibrary.com.
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