American Icon Dolly Parton Partnered with California Senator Shannon Grove and Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins to establish the Imagination Library of California Statewide Program, which is expected to launch in Mid-2023.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 1182, which allows for the Dollywood Foundation to work with local partners in each county to mail age-appropriate books directly to California’s early readers every month, from birth until age 5.
The state-wide program will be established under the direction of the State Librarian under the legislation. The program establishes a comprehensive literacy initiative for encouraging preschool children to develop a love of reading and learning.
According to Senate President pro Tempore Atkin’s office, the program establishes a comprehensive literacy initiative for encouraging preschool children to develop a love of reading and learning.
“I’m so thrilled at the overwhelming support to make my Imagination Library available to every child in California!” Parton said in a statement. “We still have a lot of work to do, but together we can inspire a love of reading in children across California that will last a lifetime.”
Dolly Parton began the Imagination Library began in 1995 gifting books to young children in Tennessee County where she grew up each month to inspire an early love of reading. Upon statewide adoption by Tennessee in 2004, the nonprofit program has gifted over 186 million books across five countries and one out of every 10 children under the age of five in the United States receives a book in the mail each month.
California is the 15th state to commit to creating a statewide Imagination Library program.
“Growing up with very little money in southwest Virginia, my parents taught me that books were my ticket to see the world,” said Pro Tem Atkins. “A deep love of reading and learning is the greatest gift they ever gave me—it is so special to be able to pass that on to children across California. And, to be able to do so in partnership with my friend, Senator Grove, and my country music idol, Dolly Parton, is just icing on the cake.”
According to Atkins, the program is expected to reach all 58 counties, opening eligibility up to 2.4 million children in California.
California’s 2022-23 budget also includes $68.2 million in one-time funding to establish the program in partnership with the Dollywood foundation.
