Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launches in Jefferson County

A new chapter in early childhood literacy began this week in Jefferson County with the official launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that delivers free books to children from birth to age five. Thanks to funding provided by the Fairfield Public Library Foundation, this exciting initiative is now available to families across the county.

The Imagination Library was celebrated with a lively kickoff event on Wednesday, March 19, at the Fairfield Public Library. Organized by Youth Services Librarian Sara Martindale in collaboration with volunteer coordinators Deanna Julsen and Joella Corrie, the event was themed after the beloved children’s show “Bluey” and titled the Blue Heeler Bash. Dozens of children and families gathered for themed games like “Keep Uppy” and “Featherwand,” creating a joyful start to what promises to be a lasting community resource.

Founded by country music legend Dolly Parton in 1995, the Imagination Library began in her home state of Tennessee as a tribute to her father, who never learned to read. The program has since expanded worldwide, mailing over 200 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Ireland. Each month, enrolled children receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book selected by a team of early childhood literacy experts from the Imagination Library organization.

Fairfield Public Library is serving as the nonprofit sponsor for Jefferson County’s program, and the Library Foundation has pledged funding for the first three years.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this to our community,” said Sara Martindale. “It’s such a powerful way to foster a love of reading right from the start, and we’re grateful for the support of our volunteers and the Foundation in making this a reality.”

Jefferson County families interested in enrolling their children can do so through the Imagination Library website. The process begins by clicking the red “Check Availability” button to determine eligibility and register. For those needing assistance, Fairfield Public Library staff are happy to guide residents through the sign-up process in person or over the phone.

Volunteer coordinators Deanna Julsen and Joella Corrie are helping spread the word and support new participants.

“Getting books into the hands of young children can make a huge difference in their development,” said Julsen. “It’s an investment in our future.”

With a mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now bringing that inspiration to Jefferson County’s youngest residents—one book at a time. Thanks to community support, families here can look forward to the joy of finding a new story in the mailbox every month.

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