The Northern Nevada Reading Coalition is proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Enroll your child to start receiving FREE books!
What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails FREE high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth until their fifth birthday. Now available to all families in northern Nevada, the Imagination Library helps improve children's reading skills, promotes family bonding time, and fosters a love for reading. After enrolling, a book is delivered that child's home monthly. Books are educational and entertaining, covering a wide range of topics from fairy tales to stories about diversity, friendship, and adventure. By participating in the Imagination Library, children are given the opportunity to build their home library, create lasting memories with their family, and inspire a love of reading that lasts a lifetime!
The Imagination Library is made possible by the Northern Nevada Reading Coalition, a group of community partners committed to early childhood literacy in northern Nevada.
How much does it cost to participate?
The Imagination Library is FREE, regardless of income. Thanks to local donors, community partners, and the Nevada State Legislature, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is available, free of cost, to children age birth until their fifth birthday.
Who is eligible?
Any child under five years of age, living in the following northern Nevada counties:
- Churchill
- Carson City
- Douglas
- Elko
- Eureka
- Humboldt
- Lander
- Lyon
- Mineral
- Pershing
- Storey
- Washoe
How do I enroll my child?
Enrolling is easy, just click on the red button below! You'll be asked a few simple registration questions including your address, your child’s date of birth, and a few other items.
Upon successfully completing registration, children will receive one book every month, mailed to your specified address, until they reach their fifth birthday, at which point they are considered a “graduate” of the program.
How can I become an ambassador for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in my community?
Are you interested in helping to get more books in to the hand and hearts of children across northern Nevada? Learn how you can become a Community Champion by clicking on the button below!
See what Nevadans are saying about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
"I love telling new moms about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library! Seeing my nephew's little bookshelf grow is so much fun, and it's the best gift for new moms because it keeps on giving!"
- Lauren
"We really love Dolly Parton's Imagination Library! My son gets so excited when his books come in the mail. And as a first-grade teacher, I love that the books come with prompts for the parents."
- Tara Wise, first grade teacher at Virginia Palmer Elementary School
What is the Northern Nevada Reading Coalition?
The Northern Nevada Reading Coalition is an alliance of community partners that is committed to improving early childhood literacy in our region.
The coalition is comprised of the following partners:
- Carson City School District
- Churchill County School District
- Community Services Agency
- Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
- Elko County School District
- Food Bank of Northern Nevada
- Northern Nevada Literacy Council
- NV Energy
- Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce
- Renown Health
- The Children's Cabinet
- United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra
- Washoe County Library System
- Washoe County School District
- Spread the Word Nevada
For questions, please contact United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra at DPIL@uwnns.org.
Q: How do I know if my child was accepted into the program?
A: If you provide an email address with your registration, you will be notified via email when the registration is approved or entered into our system.
Q: How long does it take before I start receiving books?
A: Depending on when you registered your child, it can take up to three months for the first book to arrive. For example, if you registered your child on January 6 and were approved by us in January, you would most likely receive your book in March. If you were enrolled in late January, you would likely receive your book in April.
Q: I recently enrolled my child in the Imagination Library and got an email that books were mailed out, but my child still hasn’t received theirs.
A: Your child’s first book will arrive 2-3 months after your enrollment has been confirmed. In that time you will receive multiple email notifications about books getting shipped out, however, these are the ship dates for this child's age group and are not specific to your child. Books will have been sent only if the child was active at the time of processing. If they were pending (NCOA, parent edit, new registration, etc) a book was not mailed.
If you still haven’t received your first book after three months, please contact us as DPIL@uwnns.org.
Q: I tried enrolling my five year old child but it won’t let me!
A: Unfortunately, your child is no longer eligible to enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Children age out of the program the day they turn five years old. After that, they are no longer eligible to receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Thank you to our partner sponsors:
