DOLLY PARTON’S
IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Free for Families. Powered by Neighbors.
Every month, children from birth to age five receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home—at no cost to their family.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides the books, and right here in our community, United Way of the Lakeshore makes the program possible by covering the cost of postage, enrollment, family support, and local program administration in Muskegon and Oceana Counties.
What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a global early literacy program designed to inspire a love of reading in children from their very first book.
Each month, children receive a carefully selected, high-quality book addressed to them and delivered directly to their home. These books are theirs to keep, helping families build their own home libraries and create meaningful reading routines together.
Through a unique partnership model, the Dollywood Foundation provides the books, while local organizations like United Way of the Lakeshore ensure the program reaches families by managing enrollment, funding mailing costs, and supporting families throughout their participation.
How It Works:
Children under age five in Muskegon and Oceana Counties are eligible
Each month, a new book is mailed directly to the child’s home
Books are personalized and age-appropriate
Children can receive up to 60 books before kindergarten
It’s simple. It’s joyful. And it helps set the foundation for lifelong learning.
Why Early Literacy Matters
Early childhood is one of the most important windows for learning and development. Access to books and reading at home plays a critical role in preparing children for school and beyond.
Research shows that children who are read to regularly:
Develop stronger language and communication skills
Enter kindergarten more prepared to learn
Build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning
Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we are advancing Youth Opportunity by helping children start school ready to succeed.
Building a Love of Reading at Home
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library doesn’t just deliver books—it helps create lasting reading habits between children and the adults who care for them.
Families have reported over 33,000,000+ minutes spent reading together
A growing number of parents report reading 15 minutes or more each day with their child
Families say receiving books monthly helps them build consistent reading routines
Reading just 15 minutes a day:
Strengthens early brain development
Builds vocabulary and communication skills
Creates meaningful bonding time
Establishs habits that support long-term success in school
A book in the mailbox becomes a routine at bedtime.
A routine becomes a habit.
A habit becomes a lifelong love of learning.
How You Can Get Involved
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is free for families because our neighbors step up to make it possible. There are many ways to be part of this impact.
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Give a child the gift of books and a strong start.
$35 provides 12 books for one child for one year
$175 supports a child from birth to age five
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Celebrate a new baby, birthday, or special milestone by sponsoring books in their honor.
This meaningful gift supports early literacy while recognizing a child in your life in a way that lasts far beyond the moment.
A gift that grows with them—one book at a time.
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Partner with United Way of the Lakeshore to expand access to books across our community.
Corporate partners can:
Sponsor books for children across our region
Support enrollment expansion in high-need areas
Have their name or logo included on monthly book mailings to families
This is a visible and meaningful way to invest in the future of our community—one child at a time.
While there is no cost for families to participate, each child enrolled is supported by local donors, businesses, and community partners.
$35 = 1 child for one year
$175 = a full five-year journey
$3,500 = 100 children
Your support helps ensure every child has access to books, learning, and opportunity—right from the start.
Research & Impact
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is backed by national and international research demonstrating meaningful improvements in early literacy and school readiness.
Studies have found that children enrolled in the program:
Show stronger early language and literacy development compared to peers
Are more likely to be prepared for kindergarten
Demonstrate increased frequency of reading at home
Build positive associations with books and learning from an early age
Parents and caregivers also report increased confidence in reading with their children and more consistent reading routines in the home.
These outcomes reinforce what we see locally—when families have access to books, they use them.
Built by Our Community
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our region is made possible through the generosity and vision of local partners, families, and community leaders.
United Way of the Lakeshore serves as the local affiliate for Muskegon and Oceana Counties.
In Newaygo County, the program is administered by NCRESA, the local affiliate partner. United Way of the Lakeshore is a proud collaborator and funder of the program in Newaygo County through our community investment grants.
Together, we are working to ensure every child across our broader region has access to books and early learning opportunities.
Powered by Our Community
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is sustained through the generosity of foundations, businesses, and community partners who believe in the power of early literacy.
Their support helps place books into the hands of children across Muskegon and Oceana Counties.
2026 Community Partners
White Lake Area Women Who Care
Help Us Reach Every Child
Hundreds of children in our community are still waiting to be enrolled.
Together, we can close that gap.