Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Sandusky County

FREE books for kids from birth to five years old!

United Way of Sandusky County is proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Imagination Library Ohio to provide engaging, high-quality, age-appropriate books to Sandusky County children from birth to age five.

How does it work?

Children enrolled in the program by their parent or guardian will receive books mailed directly to them each month until they turn five years old. Each month, a new, carefully selected book will be delivered in the child's name to their home, with the first book arriving approximately 6-9 weeks after enrollment.

How do I enroll my child?

Signing up your child for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is easy! You can download the registration form by CLICKING HERE and mailing it to United Way of Sandusky County at the address below.

You can also complete your registration online directly through The Imagination Library website.

Why is reading important at this age?

According to the Dollywood Foundation, shared reading supports cogitative development, strengthens language skills, develops bonds with caregivers, and increases concentration and discipline. Other studies reported by RaisingReaders.Org include:

Reading aloud to children, starting at birth, helps build brain connections during the first 5 years of their life. This is the time in which 90% of a child’s brain development happens. (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University)
The number of words a child knows when they start kindergarten is a predictor of their future success in school and in life. (Read Aloud 15 Minutes)
More than 1 in 3 American children start kindergarten without the skills they need to learn to read. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Reading aloud to children helps associate books and reading with people they love, which motivates them to read more. (Healthy Children)
Reading, talking, singing, and playing with young children helps to improve their language, literacy, social skills, and emotional skills. It also helps to secure the bond between parent/caregiver and child. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
A person’s ability to read lowers their risk of poverty, improves their chances of employment, increases social inclusion, and leads to a healthier life. (The United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)

Sponsor a child!

Interested in supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sandusky County?

It takes approximately $2.20 to purchase and mail each book. United Way covers half the cost, and the other half is covered by matching funds from the State of Ohio. Currently, over 1,800 children are enrolled in Sandusky County.

A gift of only $25 sponsors a child for a year in the program. ($125 for five years).

Donate