“Delaware Libraries are delighted to facilitate Imagination Library for our youngest Delawareans and their families,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian. “Acquiring the reading and library habit early is a foundation for curiosity and success throughout life!”
On May 5, 2022, Governor John Carney, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, and Dr. Annie Norman of the Delaware Libraries welcomed American icon Dolly Parton for a statewide celebration of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to mark that every child in Delaware from birth to age five, is eligible to enroll in this free book-gifting program. Public librarians and library staff, early education advocates, members of the General Assembly and members of the Cabinet also joined in the event.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly Parton started her Imagination Library in 1995 to foster a love of reading for the children within her home county. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the world’s preeminent early childhood book-gifting program that is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading. In partnership with local affiliate partners, the program mails high quality, ageappropriate books to children from birth to age five—at no cost to families.
“With gratitude to all the partners, it is my privilege to serve as the honorary chair of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Delaware,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “The Imagination Library books are a wonderful collection and I’m grateful I’ve been able to read them with young Delawareans since the program’s inception. I look forward to seeing more Delaware families sign up for this incredible program.”
In Delaware, every child under the age of five is eligible to receive a gift of a monthly book at no charge to families. Almost 1,500 Delaware children were signed up for the Imagination Library since Dolly’s visit was announced to bring total active enrollment to almost 23,000 Delaware children, and almost 6,000 graduates since 2020.
Families can sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on Delaware Libraries’ website: delawarelibraries.org/imagination.
