Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) Increase Reading and Access to Books Across North Carolina
The Smart Start Network has worked alongside Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to distribute over 15 million books to children across North Carolina.
Smart Start and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library- The History and Funding
In 2017, Smart Start expanded Imagination Library across North Carolina through the support of the General Assembly. Smart Start received $3.5 million in 2017 and again in 2018 as well as $7 million in 2018 and in 2019.
The General Assembly’s investment leveraged Smart Start’s community roots and resulted in rapid expansion of the program. In less than two years, every child under the age of 5 in North Carolina had access to Imagination library due to the 2017 expansion! The percentage of eligible children enrolled has grown from 8% in 2017 to 49% in 2022!
In less than two years, every child under the age of 5 in North Carolina had access
to Imagination library due to the 2017 expansion!
Smart Start requested an additional $1.5 million, recurring from the General Assembly this year for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. With additional funding, Smart Start can continue to ensure at least 50% of North Carolina’s eligible children 0-5 receive a free book each month—this is crucial with increased book and shipping costs.
Smart Start Creates Big Impact through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
On average, in FY 2021-2022, parents who participated in DPIL for any length in time reported an increase in reading to their children daily from 41% before they began receiving books to 62% after participating in DPIL. 
Additionally, 45% of families reported that without DPIL, they would not have been able to purchase the types of books provided by the program for their children. Of these parents and guardians, 60% of people who identified as American Indian, Alaskan Native, Latino or Hispanic reported that they would not have been able to purchase books without the aid of DPIL.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Kicks-Off Campaign
Be on the Lookout for a Dolly Bookmark to Celebrate 200 million DPIL Books Worldwide
This year to celebrate Imagination Library distributing over 200 million books worldwide, the program is launching a campaign.
As part of the campaign, seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program. Families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets.
The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to who Dolly calls, the true heroes of her program.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a parent with a child receiving an Imagination Library book each month, be on the lookout to see if you can find a special Dolly bookmark. You can learn more about the campaign at the DPIL website.
If you’re interested in learning more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or registering your child to receive a free book each month, you can do so here.
