Dolly Parton's Imagination Library expanding to Oklahoma

Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton reads her book “Coat of Many Colors” to children during an an event where her organization Imagination Library donates…

Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton reads her book “Coat of Many Colors” to children during an an event where her organization Imagination Library donates it as the 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress collection, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018 in Washington. The Library of Congress and Imagination Library also announce a story time for children on the last Friday of each month in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building from March through August. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

by: Savannah Young

Posted: May 13, 2022 / 02:20 PM EDT

Updated: May 13, 2022 / 04:39 PM EDT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding statewide in Oklahoma. The state is aiming for millions of books to be distributed to children through the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program that supplies books to children every month from birth through their fifth birthday at no cost to families. The program helps develop literacy skills in children and prepare them for school.

The website also states that the Oklahoma State Department of Education will use $2.5 million of its federal emergency relief funding to match local funds in support of the Imagination Library program, which will guarantee up to 2.3 million books distributed to Oklahoma children by the end of 2024.

“I’m so excited to be working with Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and the Oklahoma State Department of Education to bring my Imagination Library to Oklahoma. Together let’s inspire a love of reading and learning in every child in Oklahoma.”
Dolly Parton

The Imagination Library has distributed books to millions of kids since its launch in 1995. It currently operates in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland.