Act Now: Protect Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for Our Kids

Feb 13, 2025 - Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library ensures that all registered children under the age of 5 receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month—at no cost to their families. This program plays a critical role in early literacy, helping children develop the language and reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Currently, Indiana provides matching funds to help local partners, like United Way of South Central Indiana, offer this program to Hoosier families.

However, the newly proposed 2025-2027 state budget eliminates this funding—threatening access to books for thousands of children, including over 2,000 kids in our region, and more than 120,000 kids statewide.

Why does this matter?

90% of brain growth happens before age 5, making early literacy essential for future success.
Programs like the Imagination Library help close the literacy gap and set children on a path toward lifelong learning.

What can you do?

Please contact your state legislators and ask them to restore funding for the Imagination Library in the upcoming budget. If this program has touched your family, please share that impact with your legislators.

Children only get one chance to build the connections they need for success—let’s make sure they have the tools to do so.

Take action today! Contact your elected officials and tell them to continue supporting the Imagination Library. Use the button below to find your region's legislators.

Together, we can ensure Indiana’s youngest learners have the resources they need to thrive.

Want to stay informed on advocacy efforts? Join the Indiana United Ways VoterVoice Action Center to receive updates on bills and calls to action.