Thank you for your interest in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library!
We know how important early childhood literacy is to a child’s development. Unfortunately, as of this time (August 2025), our program is full, and we are unable to accept any new registrations.
Please note, if your child is already receiving books, they will continue to receive books until they graduate from the program at age 5.
Our current enrollment is full. Due to this length of time, we will not be utilizing a waiting list. However, United Way staff and advocates of the program are actively working to find sources of funding, including fundraising and grant writing. Please check our website often for status updates. When the program is reopened, you'll be able to re-register your child. All current registration forms will be shredded to protect your personal information.
Opening enrollment in the future depends on our community’s support and funding. We encourage everyone to share about the program and follow updates on our website.
We encourage you to keep reading! Books are available at several Little Free Libraries and our local public library. Please check out the list of Little Free Libraries in Freeborn County!
Program Information
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was created to guarantee access to books and to inspire parents to read to their children as much as possible.
United Way of Freeborn County is committed to building literacy skills and school readiness in young children. We want to ensure children have positive developmental opportunities so that they can start school ready to succeed. We want to grow success in learning and in life.
Studies show that when kids are given regular 'lap-time' not 'laptop' time, but time spent reading books before kindergarten, their vocabulary can reach 10,000 words before age 5. For a child who hasn't had this experience, their vocabulary is about 3,000 words.
United Way of Freeborn County, in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, provides one book each month to children, from birth to age 5, who live in Freeborn County and are registered by their parent or guardian.
This program currently provides monthly books to over 200 children in Freeborn County, but we need your help to sustain this program for many years to come.
These sturdy, colorful, age appropriate books are delivered directly to the child. Each book is selected for the developmental benefits it brings - and for the fun. There is no cost to registered families.
Sponsor a Child
While there is no cost to families, there are costs to ship books to families, and that is covered by the United Way of Freeborn County.
A donation of $30 sponsors one child’s books for 1 year.
A donation of $150 sponsors one child’s books for 5 years – the full duration of the program.
You can sponsor a child with an electronic donation below. Please designate your donation to Dolly Parton Imagination Library if you'd like to earmark your donation to go to this specific program. Click here to be taken to our giving page with options to make a check or cash donation.