Susan Gianforte, Montana’s first lady, shared updates on her statewide expansion of the Imagination Library of Montana alongside Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, advancing their joint mission to foster early childhood literacy. Through this non-profit initiative, children across Montana receive free, high-quality books tailored to their age, promoting a love for reading from an early age.
Expressing her enthusiasm, First Lady Susan Gianforte highlighted the program’s growth and impact, applauding the efforts of local partners in spreading awareness and facilitating enrollment for families. She anticipates further expansion and positive outcomes for Montana’s youngest readers.
In partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the initiative, announced last June, has seen remarkable progress. Initially available in select counties, the program now spans across all 56 counties, with 63 local partners serving nearly 24,000 eligible children—a substantial leap from the 9,500 enrolled prior to the initiative’s launch.
Montana’s achievement of statewide coverage marks a significant milestone, ranking it as the sixteenth state to reach this level of program accessibility.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, established in 1995, has emerged as a global leader in early childhood book-gifting, having distributed over 200 million free books across several countries. The program, driven by The Dollywood Foundation, aims to instill a lifelong passion for reading in children, embodying the principles of dreaming, learning, caring, and aspiring for more.
Backed by extensive research demonstrating its positive impact on early literacy and child development, the program, exclusively partnered with Penguin Random House, continues to thrive, mailing over 2 million books monthly to enrolled children under five years old.
Susan Gianforte’s commitment extends beyond literacy, focusing on empowering Montana’s youth through enhanced STEM education, particularly for girls and rural students.
For those interested in registering a child or seeking further information, visit imaginationlibrary.com.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
