Dolly Parton’s vision of putting books into the hands of every child is now a reality for Sac County kids. On August 27, community leaders gathered at the Sacramento Central Public Library to announce the official launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a beloved international program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth through age 5, regardless of family income.
The Imagination Library is the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, created by Parton in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who never learned to read. What began in Sevier County, Tennessee, has since grown into a global movement that has mailed more than 280 million books across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland. Each month, more than three million children now receive an age-appropriate book delivered straight to their home at no cost to their families. Penguin Random House serves as the exclusive publisher, ensuring each title is engaging and developmentally appropriate for its audience.
For Parton, the program is one of her proudest achievements. “Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done,” Parton shared. “I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. The real heroes of our story are the thousands of local organizations who have embraced my dream and made it their own. They raise millions of dollars each year and wake up every day with a passion to make sure their kids have every opportunity to succeed.”
Sacramento’s expansion is being made possible through a partnership between United Way California Capital Region, the Sacramento County Office of Education, and The Dollywood Foundation. The program also has support from the City of Sacramento, the City of Rancho Cordova, the Kellogg Family Foundation, Rotary Club of Elk Grove, and Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club. Organizers are actively seeking additional partners to ensure the program reaches all Sacramento County children under five.
United Way president and CEO Dr. Dawnté Early said the program is about more than books. “When we invest in a child’s imagination, we invest in their future. This program is about opening doors, sparking dreams and imagination, and making sure every child, no matter their zip code, has access to books from an early age.”
The local goal is to enroll 65,000 children across Sacramento County within the next five years, representing 65 percent of those eligible. Families can sign up easily online, and once enrolled, children will receive a new book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. Research has consistently shown that children who participate in the Imagination Library demonstrate stronger literacy skills, improved vocabulary, and greater school readiness. Families also report the books encourage daily reading routines, creating traditions that foster both learning and family connection.
Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon emphasized how the program aligns with existing literacy efforts. “By mailing a free book each month to children from birth to age 5, we’re giving families the tools to build strong reading habits from the start,” Gordon said. “This program supports our Sacramento County READS literacy initiative and reflects our commitment to literacy, equity and early learning because every child deserves the chance to thrive.”
The Sacramento County Office of Education plays a key role as a partner. The agency supports more than 253,000 students across 13 school districts and provides technical assistance, curriculum development, staff training, and oversight to help districts improve learning outcomes. Its reach extends beyond Sacramento as a leader of the Capital Service Region, which encompasses 10 counties and more than 30,000 children and adults served annually.
The launch in Sacramento builds on success already seen in neighboring Yolo County, where United Way California Capital Region recently celebrated distributing its 100,000th book. Across California, the Imagination Library benefits from a 50 percent state match, administered through the California State Library, which has accelerated its growth statewide. Hallie Anderson, community engagement coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of California, called Sacramento’s addition a milestone. “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sacramento County, home to our state capital and nearly 100,000 little learners. This partnership is a powerful investment in early childhood literacy, bringing Dolly’s dream to life for many more children and inspiring a love of reading across the county.”
United Way California Capital Region has been a driving force across the five-county area for more than a century. Beyond its new role with the Imagination Library, the organization provides literacy tutoring, addresses housing and food insecurity, operates the region’s largest free tax-preparation program, partners with foster youth across school districts, launched the area’s first guaranteed income pilot, and leads the Community Schools initiative in West Sacramento.
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has grown from a small program in rural Tennessee to a worldwide movement. For Parton, the mission is far from complete. “It’s been quite a journey but we have so much more left to do,” she said. “The first step is always the hardest, but you’ll never know unless you try.”
Sacramento families can register to receive free books by visiting yourlocalunitedway.org. Those wishing to support the program’s expansion can find more information at uwccr.org/dpilsupport. With its launch, Sacramento County joins a growing network of communities investing in early literacy — one book, one child, and one dream at a time.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
