Program Impact
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio ignites a passion for reading in young children by mailing one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month. The books strengthen emotional relationships with loved ones, and enhance cognitive skills, leading to significant educational advancements.
Importance of Early Literacy
Children with at least 25 books in the home complete an average of two more years of schooling than those with no books.
— Tennessee Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, 2020
Reading with a child isn’t just about words—it’s about love, connection, and the joy of discovery. Studies show that children who experience regular shared reading with caregivers develop stronger emotional bonds, leading to greater confidence and social skills.
Beyond academics, these reading moments become a source of warmth and stability. A child who is read to daily hears up to 1.4 million more words* before entering kindergarten. But more importantly, a child associates books with comfort, attention, and love— laying the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, connection, and learning.
Children who read at home 3 times per week are more likely to recognize letters, count to 20, and write their name before entering school.
— Reading for Life: The Impact of Youth Literacy on Health Outcomes (Scholastic), Nord 1999
Reading aloud is widely recognized as the single most important activity for enhancing a child’s language and development.
— Family Literacy Programs: Who Benefits (Ohio Library Resource Center), 2020
Impact on Ohio Families
With a child’s brain forming 1 million connections per second* in the early years, reaching 80% of development by age three*, reading is a key component to their future success. Having access to books in the home is a critical component. Children with at least 25 books in the home complete an average of two more years of schooling than children with no books at home.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio bridges this gap by delivering personalized books directly to the child’s home, giving them easy access to high-quality, age-appropriate books.
Our program makes reading accessible, exciting, and most importantly…FUN! Over 20 million books have been delivered to Ohio children, fostering a love of reading that will carry them into the future.
Children who read often are less likely to feel nervous, anxious, sad, or lonely compared to those who read infrequently.
— Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 2022
The greater access the child has to books in school and at home, the more likely they are able to cultivate an appreciation for diverse experiences and develop empathy for others.
— Reading for Life: The Impact of Youth Literacy on Health Outcomes (Scholastic), Cleaver 2020
61% of US Children living at or below the poverty level have no books in the home.
— Reading is Fundamental
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Research has shown that children participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are significantly more likely to be ready for kindergarten compared to students who are not participating in the program. Learn More…
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The University of Cincinnati’s Economics Center conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the Warren County Imagination Library. The analysis utilized costs assumed by the Warren County Imagination Library program illustrating the lifetime economic impact of the program for the community. Learn More…
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Lorain Community Foundation, Lorain County’s Imagination Library Local Partner, published a report indicating a high satisfaction and increase in reading among current program participants in Lorain County. Learn More…
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They Dollywood Foundation conducted a study showing the cumulative impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on kindergarten readiness. Learn More.
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Cuyahoga County’s Local Program Partner, The Literacy Cooperative, sends an anonymous survey every year to all the families enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Cuyahoga County as a way to measure impact and satisfaction.
The results of the 2024 survey evidenced enrollment in the Imagination Library is an overwhelmingly positive and enriching experience for families in Cuyahoga County.
Download the 2024 Participant Survey Report.
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Baby’s Brain Begins Now: Conception to Age 3, The Urban Child Institute
Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, The Ohio State University
Center on the Developing, Harvard University
What Caregivers are Saying
