Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Heart of Indiana United Way is proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Available in Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Madison and Randolph Counties, Imagination Library sends children ages birth to five, a free book in the mail every month.
Heart of Indiana United Way has long recognized the pivotal role that early literacy plays in shaping the trajectory of a child’s life. Children are born learning. We are helping families embrace their power in raising readers and mobilizing the community to support families and their early learners.
It is important every child in the community has the tools they need to unlock their full potential. One way we are successfully doing this across the five counties we serve is through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This program, inspired by Dolly’s commitment to early childhood education, delivers a simple yet profound message: every child deserves the gift of literature from the very beginning.
This book-gifting program sends age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five every month. Fostering a love for reading from the earliest stages, this initiative begins a lifelong journey of learning and exploration. All children, regardless of their background, have access to the transformative power of books—delivered right to their home. It becomes a catalyst for positive change—paving the way for a generation that is academically successful, intellectually curious, and socially engaged.
The science is clear: within the first five years of a child’s life 90% of brain development occurs. Reading to children during this critical period is not merely a pastime but a strategic investment in their cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Literacy is not just about decoding words on a page; it is about empowering individuals to think critically, communicate effectively, and navigate the complexities of the world with confidence.