More kids in Houston will receive free books thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Houston Public Library. Here’s how.
One of the most enduring parts of country music legend Dolly Parton’s legacy is her Imagination Library. For over 30 years the organization has been providing one free book a month to children around the world from infancy until they turn five years old.
Now, the Houston Public Library (HPL) is helping to put books into even more family’s homes through an agreement recently reached with Parton’s nonprofit.
According to Axios Houston, the Imagination Library of Greater Houston hopes to enroll additional families in the literacy program by designating the Houston Public Library system a “Family Touch Point” for the community. Staff within the HPL system will be able to assist parents and guardians who wish to register qualifying kids. The Harris County Public Library has already been providing this service since the beginning of the summer.
Chris Hollins, Houston’s Controller, wrote about the agreement in a statement, saying, “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary legacy has opened up a world of imagination and possibility for millions of children. I’m deeply honored to have played a small part in bringing this special program to Houston and helping more of our children receive a free book every month.”
Hollins added, “Early literacy is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in a child’s future, and I’m proud our city is now part of that legacy.”
Houston’s branch of the Imagination Library was founded in 2019 through the efforts of Greater Houston’s YMCA. It now operates as its own nonprofit organization and raises money annually to help cover the cost of printing books and mailing them to local families. To learn more about that and how you can lend your support, please click here.
How the program works
Signing your child up for the Imagination Library of Greater Houston’s program is relatively straightforward. All you need to do is visit the nearest branch of the Houston Public Library to speak with a staff member about enrollment.
Children are eligible to receive one age-appropriate book for free per month from the time of their birth until they turn five years old. If you register your kids as soon as they’re born, you can receive up to 60 books throughout the span of their eligibility.
As a bonus, books are available in both English and English-Spanish editions. You can make your preferences for langauge known when working with the HPL staff to complete your registration.
All children within the specified age bracket are eligible to join the program, meaning each of your kids will receive their own individual book every month. Every book is shipped directly to your home for free. The Harris County Public Library website notes that it’ll take roughly two to three months for the first book to show up at your door.
