Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Through the popular Imagination Library program created by Dolly Parton in 1995, children receive a FREE book in the mail every month from birth until their 5th birthday. There are currently more than 1,700 children across Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties who receive books each month. The books are mailed out by the Dollywood Foundation and arrive in your mailbox. Sign up today and your child will start receiving new books next month!

Sign up your child to receive FREE books!

Working with the Dollywood Foundation, the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children pays $30 per child each year for books & shipping costs. The books are funded by generous local donors, private grants, Smart Start funds, and state funds. Blue Ridge Partnership holds several fundraisers each year, including the always popular Taste of the Blue Ridge to raise money to support reading & literacy skills in all three counties. There is no cost to parents for the books & delivery by US Mail. The Dollywood Foundation sends books to a million children each month, and has mailed out nearly 100 million books in the last 20 years. There are over 1,600 local communities across America, Canada & the United Kingdom who take part in Imagination Library.

Partnership Facebook

Get Up To 60 Books

Children who take part in Imagination Library receive up to 60 books by their fifth birthday. It’s a great way to increase a child’s literacy skills and help in their development during the all-important First 2000 Days. Reading to kids increases their learning skills & development, and strengthens family bonds.

Calendar of Events

The books are age-appropriate for children as they grow and develop from infant to child, and begin kindergarten. Books help spur children’s imaginations, curiosity and literacy skills. And many of the books are handed down to younger brothers, sisters & cousins.

Wanna contribute?

$30 for 1 child, 1 year.

We need your help!

Does your child receive Imagination Library books? Please complete the survey at the link below to let us know how we’re doing. Thanks so much.

Imagination Library Survey

Actual feedback from local parents:

“One of my favorite times of the entire day is right before bed time when I read to my child. I have done it using your Imagination Library books since she was 1 month old, she is now 14 months. Thank you!”

“He gets really great books that he finds interesting at his age.”

“I truly watch my child bloom during reading sessions. He is now more engaged than ever. He smiles and picks out the ones he wants to read. He points to the pictures and says the words of some of the things he sees.”

200,000 Books & Counting

Since 2006, the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children had sponsored two hundred thousand books to be delivered to children in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties through the Imagination Library! The recipient of the 200,000th book was recognized with a basket full of books, toys & games to celebrate the achievement.