Our mission is to improve the lives and future of all people in the Spokane County community. We bring together individuals and organizations with the passion and resources to understand need and ensure opportunities for every individual to reach their human potential.
Early Learning
Dolly Parton's
Imagination Library
A Love for Reading:
“The Little Engine That Could,” chosen by Dolly Parton herself, is the first book every child receives from the Imagination Library. It’s a story that embodies confidence and perseverance—values central to our program.
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How It Works:
Every child in Spokane County, from birth to age five, can receive a free book each month, addressed to them. Our books are age-appropriate, fun, and geared toward kindergarten readiness and literacy. Families are encouraged to read together, fostering a love of books and learning.
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The Importance of Literacy:
Literacy is a powerful tool in the fight against poverty. Unfortunately, only about half of Washington State students are reading at grade level, with significant impacts on BIPOC and low-income communities. In Spokane County, some schools report kindergarten readiness as low as 9%. Access to books is crucial, especially for families with limited access to libraries.
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Our Impact:
Since 2022, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has served over one-third of eligible children in Spokane County. A 2024 pilot study showed that participants outperformed their peers in key early literacy benchmarks, especially in low-income groups. Nearly 85% of parents report positive changes in their children’s reading habits.
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Building a Literacy-Rich Community:
We partner with the Dollywood Foundation, Scholastic, and other organizations to bring high-quality books to Spokane County children. Local support from Innovia, AmeriCorps VISTA, and the State of Washington helps make this possible.
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How You Can Help:
To meet the growing demand, we’re seeking community support through donations, grants, and bequests. Your contribution can help us continue providing free books to children, fostering a culture of reading and lifelong learning in our community.
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Join the Movement:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free, accessible program for all children under five in Spokane County. We invite you to enroll your child and experience the joy of receiving up to 60 free, high-quality books that can transform their future.
Get some swag!
Buying our merch will help us reopen an sustain enrollment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Spokane County, providing free books for kids 0-5!
Our stylish, high-quality merchandise is more than just a purchase – it's a symbol of your commitment to making a difference. From cozy t-shirts to trendy accessories, every item supports a great cause.
Sign Ups:
United Way of Spokane County's Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted nearly 170,000 books to pre-kindergarten kids, reaching over a 1/3 of eligible
children in all of Spokane County.​
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We need your help to reopen enrollment!
Due to overwhelming demand, we must temporarily halt new online registrations to ensure the 11,000+ locally
enrolled children continue receiving their monthly books.
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Just $14 sponsors a child for a year,
and $66 sponsors a child for all five years.
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Premier Sponsorships
Get your name or company name printed on each book
“Sponsored by: Your name or Company”*
• $500 Silver Sponsorship: (1 month & 1 social media shout out post)
• $1000 Gold Sponsorship: (2 months & 2 social media shout out posts)
• $2500 Platinum Sponsorship: (4 months & 4 boosted social media shout out posts)
Together, we can keep the magic of reading alive for Spokane's young readers.
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Thank you for your support!
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
FAQ
When will sign-ups start again?
We hope to reopen sign-ups soon with the help of supporters like you. Follow us on social media for updates.
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What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?
One of the largest children's literacy programs worldwide, the Imagination Library has gifted over 185 million free books to more than 2 million young readers.
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Are the books available in multiple languages?
Books are primarily in English, but two of the 12 books each year are bilingual (English and Spanish).
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I don't live in Spokane County—can I still sign up?
Yes! The Imagination Library is available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Ireland.​​​​
FAQs
What is the cost per child?
Thanks to Spokane County United Way and our partnership with Innovia Foundation, there is NO COST to families receiving books.
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When will my first book arrive?
Your child’s first book will arrive 6-8 weeks after signing up, with a new book arriving each month thereafter. The first book is a special edition of The Little Engine That Could, with a welcome letter from Dolly.
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I received one book but haven't received another—what should I do?
Books are mailed at an economical bulk rate, which doesn't include tracking. If you experience delivery issues, contact your local Postmaster and let them know about the expected books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.​​
I've Moved—how do I update my address?If you've moved within Spokane County, call United Way at (509) 838-6581 to update your address. If you’ve moved outside Spokane County, check if the program is available at your new location: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/​​​​