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Lincoln, Illinois - New
groundbreaking research - The largest dataset ever conducted on
shared book reading - reaffirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination
Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children
in Logan County, Illinois alongside children across the five other
countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest
years of life.
The study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United
Way Australia, analyzed data from more than 86,000 caregivers in the
United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the
Republic of Ireland. Results were compared with responses from
18,112 caregivers who were on the program compared to 37,776 whose
children were not in the program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The
Dollywood Foundation, was created over 30 years ago in honor of her
father, who could not read or write. The program is dedicated to
inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality,
age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Today, the
international program mails more than 3 million books each month
directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book
per month from birth to age five—at no cost to families.
In Logan County, Illinois, the Imagination Library is delivered
locally through The United Way of Logan County and made possible
through generous grants and gifts. This program is helping ensure
children have access to books during the most critical years of
brain development.
Thanks to generous grants from the Woods Foundation, The Illinois
Prairie Community Foundation, The Women to Women Giving Circle of
the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, The Eaton Charitable Fund
and the Tomlinson Charitable Trust along with many other gifts and
grants received throughout the five years of this program, the
library is available to all children in Logan County, Illinois from
birth up to age five. View our list of generous supporters at
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Supporters | United Way of Logan
County.
Global Findings
The study found that across all countries evaluated, Dolly Parton’s
Imagination Library is linked to stronger early literacy outcomes
and richer reading experiences at home—helping close early literacy
gaps by strengthening foundational skills, increasing the frequency
of children being read to, and boosting children’s interest and
engagement during shared book reading. It also shows the program
builds positive family reading habits and traditions, with
caregivers more likely to interact in meaningful ways (like talking
about pictures and encouraging children to hold the book),
reinforcing a warm, consistent home literacy environment that
supports children’s learning and long-term success.
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United States &
Canada Highlights
United States
● Children were 11 times more likely to be interested in books
and 15 times more likely to join in during shared reading
compared to children not in the program.
● Children were nine times more likely to initiate shared
reading and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate
concepts about print compared to children not in the program.
Imagination Library in Logan
County, Illinois
● Children currently enrolled locally: 770
● Children who have graduated from the program (turned age 5): 549
● Books gifted locally to date: 26,859
● Local program launch year: 2020 in Hartsburg-Emden
Founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 to honor her father, the Imagination
Library continues to deliver measurable, international impact by
putting books directly into children’s homes.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the world’s leading early
childhood book-gifting program, having gifted more than 300 million
books across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,
Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. The program is funded
through a partnership between The Dollywood Foundation and hundreds
of local community partners.
Visit
imaginationlibrary.com for more information.
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