“You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.”

Dolly Parton

“You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.”

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Imagination Library is Now in Will County!

In 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library to nurture a love of reading and learning among young children.

The program provides free books every month to children from birth through age 5.

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Economic Development Foundation (part of the Center for Economic Development) have partnered together to launch the Imagination Library of Will County. Thanks to the ongoing support of generous local donors, this program is available to over 39,000 children throughout the county!

Parents can now enroll for the program and receive free, age-appropriate books mailed directly to their home! The monthly books are chosen by a Blue Ribbon Committee through the Dollywood Foundation with the goal of enhancing early childhood education and supporting a love of reading. The impact of reading for children 0-5 cannot be overstated – Research shows that children participating in the Imagination Library demonstrate a 29% increase in kindergarten readiness.

Please consider joining our effort to keep this program in Will County, including by spreading the word and donating. All donations will be matched by the State of Illinois, doubling your impact with every dollar donated.

No gift is too small! Donate today or sponsor a child: A gift of $16 will sponsor 12 months of free books for one child! Consider setting a recurring donation to donate monthly or annually.

Thank you for your support of early childhood literacy!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Let’s Read Will County Sponsors | $25,000-$50,000

Reading Champion Sponsors | $10,000-$25,000

Reading Superhero | $5,000-$10,000

Hometown Literacy Champion | $500-$5,000

Register Now

Register a child today for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and they will receive a free book every month delivered right to the door from birth to their fifth birthday. All at no cost.

Parents can register online directly on the Dollywood Foundation website.

Also consider signing up for news on Imagination Library of Will County, including outreach events, partnership

Questions?

Interested in learning more? Email
info@willcountyimaginationlibrary.org.

Volunteer

Join the team to help bring Imagination Library to Will County!

We’re building a network to support fundraising, events, and outreach throughout the county. This also includes supporting operations once the program fully launches.

If interested in joining the volunteer team, sign up at the link below:

Imagination Library of Will County Celebrates Launch

Will County parents can now register children under five for Dolly Parton’s free book-gifting program after county-wide fundraising campaign

Local officials and community leaders joined representatives from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the State of Illinois to officially launch the Imagination Library of Will County at a kick-off event today. Parents in Will County can now register to have free, high-quality, and age-appropriate books mailed directly to their children from birth until their fifth birthday.

Rotary Club of Joliet Donates $50,000 to Imagination Library of Will County

The Rotary Club of Joliet has announced that the Imagination Library of Will County is the recipient of the $50,000 proceeds from their 2024 Annual Raffle. The major donation marks yet another milestone in bringing the free, book-gifting program to Will County.

The Imagination Library of Will County Receives $10,000 Donation from The Caesars Foundation

The Imagination Library of Will County has received a generous donation from The Caesars Foundation, with the awarding of a $10,000 grant aimed at bringing the proven literacy program to Will County communities.

Imagination Library of Will County Receives $25,000 Donation from Jackson Generation

Jackson Generation has donated $25,000 to the Imagination Library of Will County, marking a significant milestone in bringing the free book-gifting program to Will County communities.

Crete Library Shows Support for Imagination Library

The Crete Public Library District and the Friends of the Crete Public Library have generously donated to Imagination Library of Will County, showing support to bring the gift-giving program to Will County.

Imagination Library Kick-Off Event Draws a Crowd

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Will County held its kickoff event in January, attracting hundreds of local residents interested in celebrating and learning more about the literacy program.

Imagination Celebration to be Held at Rialto on January 30

A kick-off fundraising event will be held on January 30 in celebration of Imagination Library and Dolly Parton’s January birthday.

Imagination Library Coming to Will County

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Center for Economic Development have announced a partnership with The Dollywood Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Will County.