Imagination Library of Washington sees funding challenges, possible service loss

A 2025 study found that caregivers with children served by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are more likely to read to the children more, own more books, and appreciate shared reading. However, funding challenges may soon cut its program coverage in Washington. 

The library “enters another challenging budget” because of the loss of state funding in 2025-27, according to Angela French, Director of Marketing at Imagination Library of Washington, in an email sent to The JOLT on Feb. 6. 

When asked about the extent of the budget cut’s impact, French told The JOLT that insufficient funding will directly affect whether books can continue reaching the more than 85,000 children currently enrolled in the library each month.  

“The long-term impact is even greater. Thousands of children who would otherwise be eligible in the coming years may never receive books during the most critical window of early brain development —from birth to age (5) — when early literacy habits are formed at home,” French said. 

French emphasized that without restored support, most local program partners will be forced to discontinue book service altogether.  

"With more than 85,000 Washington children receiving a book each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, this research provides clear evidence that consistent access to books at home builds the literacy skills, curiosity, and family reading habits that set children up for success in school and in life. Sustained support for this program is essential to ensuring every young child in our state has that opportunity,” French said. 

Background  

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, which was established more than 30 years ago to honor Parton’s father, who could not read or write.  

The program provides free, high quality, age-appropriate books to children up to 5 years old to ignite a love of reading. 

“Today, the international program mails more than 3 million books each month directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five—at no cost to families,” according to the libary. 

The Imagination Library of Washington was established through legislation in 2022, as the statewide program for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

The statewide program “fosters the growth and sustainability of local programs” by providing a 50 percent state match to partners and ensuring children under age 5 can be enrolled in the Imagination Library. 

About 43 local partners have joined with the Imagnation Library of Washington to provide children in the state with free monthly books. According to the library, more than 3.96 million books have been mailed to Washington children since 2022.