June 9, 2022, was a momentous day for families and young children across Washington, as this day in history marked the official day the Imagination Library of Washington was signed into law by Governor Inslee, creating a statewide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The effort to become the first statewide Imagination Library program on the west coast began back in 2020 as a personal dream of Brooke Fisher-Clark’s, Executive Director of Imagination Library of Washington. After a full year of collaboration with The Dollywood Foundation and bi-partisan support from the Washington State Legislature, that dream became reality in early 2022. Washington was the 11th state to become a statewide partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Whidbey Community Foundation became an affiliate in December 2022; since then, we have been able to enroll over 950 kids ages 0-5 on Whidbey Island into the program!
“Wow, has it already been one year as an official statewide program? It is an absolute dream come true still, and I am filled with such gratitude! I appreciate our Washington lawmakers putting our children first by elevating this powerful, and effective literacy opportunity so that all Washington early learners have the chance to learn, connect, and succeed. Washington is a shining example to other states, and that makes me proud,” said Imagination Library of Washington’s Executive Director, Brooke Fisher-Clark.
The Imagination Library of Washington, powered by United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, was made possible by state partners, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families, along with House Bill 2068 co-sponsors, Representatives Peter Abbarno and Monica Stonier. Through a $2 million investment from the legislature, Imagination Library of Washington provides a 50% funding match for all affiliate programs in Washington to supplement book and mailing costs. The remaining 50% is raised through local affiliate programs.
“It has been a year since Washington State partnered with Dolly Parton to put free books in the hands of children. Literacy is power, and now more little imaginations will be sparked,” stated Representative Monica Stonier, House Bill 2068 Champion.
As the world’s pre-eminent early childhood book-gifting program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, mailed directly to their homes every month. One Washington parent stated, “My daughter (3 years old) LOVES checking the mail and gets excited when a new book arrives. She now sits and “reads” them to her baby sister (who is also newly signed up to receive books). I appreciate this program very much. Thank you!”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is currently reaching more than 56,000 Washington children through 44 local affiliate programs, with 72% of all children between birth and age five now having program access to register for a free book each month. For information on the Imagination Library of Washington and how to support getting more books into the hands of young children, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.