Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands statewide

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 29, 2023) — Following action from the General Assembly and governor, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding statewide, said State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville). 

The expansion comes thanks in part to Senate Bill 340, which Becker authored during the 2023 legislative session to establish the Indiana Imagination Library. 

The program gives children from birth to the age of five monthly access to free age-appropriate books, regardless of their income level. The Imagination Library mails over 2.4 million books each month to enrolled children.  

“It is of the utmost importance for children to have access to books at home, even before they begin elementary school,” Becker said. “Research shows most of a child’s brain development occurs between the time of birth and age five.” 

The Indiana State Library will coordinate the program and provide the state’s match to organizations or individuals interested in becoming local program partners. 

“I am thrilled to see the program continue to make great strides in Indiana since I helped advocate for the establishment of the program in our state at the beginning of this year,” Becker said. “I look forward to watching the positive impact it will have on more of our youngest Hoosiers.”  

Currently, the Imagination Library is available in 54 counties.