Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
At United Way, we believe that every child should have the tools they need to succeed in life – from the very start. Preparing children for kindergarten is one of our top priorities. We know that reading with young children translates to future success. Children who grow up with books in their homes are proven to do better in school and life, and the number of books in their homes directly impacts their future achievements.
Free books monthly to children
Through our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, any child in Stark and Carroll counties from birth to age five, is eligible to receive a new book in the mail each month at no cost to the family.
Studies have shown that children with 25 books in their home are more likely to complete an additional two years of school than their peers. With Imagination Library, children enrolled from birth have the opportunity to receive up to 60 books by the time they turn five!
Carroll County
This community initiative would not be possible without the support of many community partners: Bowerston Public Library, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Carroll County District Library, Carroll County Job & Family Services, Carroll County General Health District, Carrollton Exempted School District, Family and Children First Council and many more.
Stark County
Stark County's Imagination Library is brought to the children of Stark County by Stark Library, United Way of Greater Stark County and other area libraries. We are proud to invest in our children's future by putting books in the hands of children right here in our own community, where nearly half of the children are below the poverty level.
Good foundation
Books create a good foundation of learning for children in our community.
Through Imagination Library, we have helped distribute nearly 58,000 books in the past year throughout Stark and Carroll Counties!
You can deliver the joy of reading to your child today. Children under five are eligible to receive free, inspiring books through the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library that can help increase alphabet knowledge, expressive vocabulary and language processing. Develop and inspire your young readers and help them become more kindergarten ready! Sign your child up today and get them on a path for early educational success.
Sponsor information
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio mails free books monthly to children from birth to age five. The program helps set children up for success by putting books into the hands and hearts of children across the world – so far, more than 130 million books have been mailed to 1.5 million children across the world since 1995.
You can put books in the hands of children right here in our own community of Stark and Carroll counties. $25 will provide books to one child for an entire year. AND, thanks to matching dollars from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, your donation can go even further!
Why does this matter? Because studies show that a child with books in their home will be more successful in school and jobs, which will contribute to a stronger community.
Thank you
Imagination Library is supported in part by a grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation. This local grant award is part of more than $3 million in grants awarded this fall to support youth literacy initiatives through nearly 760 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools across the 46 states that Dollar General serves.
“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been proud to invest in literacy and education programs in the communities we call home for nearly 30 years,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and vice president of corporate social responsibility at Dollar General. “As the educational landscape continues to shift, our hope is that these funds will help increase access and resources for students, educators and communities dedicated to reading and learning.”
Join us
Together, we connect the families in our most vulnerable neighborhoods with resources and programs to help them succeed and thrive.