Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Missouri

The state of Missouri and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Any Missouri resident is now eligible to receive free books mailed directly to their homes each month, from birth until age five.

Until November 2023, the Independence School District was a local affiliate, providing funding for more than 1,500 children who live within district boundaries to take part in the program. This expansion means any Missouri resident is now eligible, and thousands of children throughout the state will be provided with free books every month. This change means that families should follow registration instructions at imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/, and not use the paper forms that the ISD previously distributed.

Since its inception, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted more than 200,000,000 books, inspiring a love for reading and building strong academic foundations with children around the world.

Eligibility

Children who are Missouri residents and under the age of five are eligible to register. To register, you will need to provide a guardian name, child’s name, mailing address, email address and phone number.

Eight to ten weeks after your registration is received, books will begin arriving at your home and will continue until your child turns five or is no longer a Missouri resident.

Support

Questions? Contact DESE for support.

Contact: Courtney Hicks
Phone: 5737514212
Email: ImaginationLibrary@dese.mo.gov

How are Books Chosen?

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library assembles a panel of literacy specialists to be part of the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee every year to make book selections.

Learn more: imaginationlibrary.com/usa/choosing-our-books/