OHIO — Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio celebrated a major milestone Thursday as it reached 20 million books being mailed.

Ohio first lady Fran DeWine celebrated the milestone by holding a book reading at Greene County Public Library in Beavercreek, Ohio. 

What You Need To Know

  • First lady Fran DeWine celebrated Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio mailing 20 million books

  • DeWine read to children from "Coat of Many Colors"

  • There are 411,228 children currently participating in the program

  • Registered children can receive one, age-appropriate book a month up to their fifth birthday

“When Mike first ran for governor, I knew I wanted to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Ohio so every family could have access to the program’s high-quality, age-appropriate, free books,” said Fran DeWine. “With financial support from the Ohio General Assembly, our program has grown from only being available in pockets of Ohio to currently reaching 70% of households with children under the age of five.”

DeWine read to children from "Coat of Many Colors," the book Dolly Parton gifted her in 2022 when Parton came to celebrate the establishment of her Imagination Library Program.

In total, the program has mailed 20,680,284 books since its inauguration in 2019.

Through the Dollywood Foundation, books from the library are available at discounted rates, and through investments from the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio’s Local Program Partners and donors across the state, the program is free for families.

There are 411,228 children currently participating in the program, approximately 62% of Ohio's eligible children. Through the program, children receive one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month until their fifth birthday.. 

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