The New York State Library has allocated nearly $500,000 in competitive grants to 20 organizations, supporting 25 local programs that will help expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library throughout New York State. The grants will cover up to half of the program partner costs, aiming to make it easier for libraries, schools, and nonprofit groups to give young children access to books.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a literacy initiative that mails a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth through age five, regardless of family income.
Lauren Moore, New York State Librarian, stated, “Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong learning and success, and every child deserves the chance to grow up with a love of books and stories. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library shows the power of putting books directly into children’s hands, and these grants help to extend that gift to families statewide. This program builds on the incredible work happening in libraries across New York, ensuring every child grows up surrounded by the magic of books and the endless possibilities they inspire.”
Grant awards for 2025 range from $2,500 to $49,000, and the funding reaches rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state. Among the recipients are school districts, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations in counties including Allegany, Broome, Chautauqua, Monroe, Wayne, Erie, Jefferson, Dutchess, Ulster, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, New York, Steuben, Westchester, and Putnam.
For those interested in learning more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or locating a local program partner, further information can be found on the Imagination Library website.
The New York State Library, established in 1818 and based in Albany, is the largest state library in the country and serves a broad audience including researchers, educators, lawmakers, and the general public. It manages a network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide and maintains significant historical collections. The library also serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications and oversees the Federal Depository Library Program in New York.
In addition to its research collections of over 20 million items, the State Library provides specialized services such as the Talking Book and Braille Library for eligible New Yorkers and works through its Division of Library Development to enhance library services. More details about the State Library’s offerings are available on the New York State Library website.
