United Way backs Imagination Library
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STEUBENVILLE -- Among the legacies left by Dolly Parton is continuing support for the Imagination Library program.
The United Way of Jefferson County is the local coordinator for the program and is able to reach thousands of children between the ages of birth and 5 throughout the area.
“We have been partnering with Imagination Library for a long time,” explained Marci Crawford, executive director of the United Way. “What we do is we pay a percentage for these children in Jefferson County to get free books, and they get a book every month in the mail.”
Founded in 1995 by Parton in her home county of Sevier County, Tenn., the program has expanded to include all 50 states and has spread around the world.
Ohio has the highest enrollment in the program in the United States, with 70 percent of households with children under 5 participating. In Jefferson County, that number is 2,050, Crawford said.
If a child is enrolled at birth, that means it will receive about 60 books by the time he or she ages out of the program. That’s important, according to Ohio’s Imagination Library program. It cites information from a 2020 report by the Tennessee Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation that shows children with at least 25 books in their home complete an average of two more years of schooling than those with no books.
“Statistically, they have found that children who participate in the Immigration Library have higher education and reading levels when they start school,” Crawford said.
Another study, Reading for Life: The Impact of Youth Literacy in Health Outcomes, said that children who read at home three times a week are more likely to recognize letters, count to 20 and write their names before entering school.
More than 28 million books have been mailed since Ohio’s program began in 2019. This month, the program says, it will mail out 432,249 age-appropriate, quality books to children across the state. That represents 65 percent of eligible children in the state. Since November 2020, the program has been available in all 88 Ohio counties.
“It has the impact of getting these kids ready for school, and it’s building a library. The whole idea of it for Dolly Parton was to build these kids a library by the time they enter kindergarten,” Crawford said while discussing the work of Parton, who died Aug. 25 at the age of 80. “Obviously, they are not going to be reading at birth or even at 1. But it’s building that library, so when they are ready to read, they will have those books.
“It’s also encouraging the parents to read to them,” she added. “All of that increases their literacy by the time they hit school.”
Funding provided by the Ohio General Assembly covers a match to local partners of 50 percent of the cost of each book, which runs about $2.60. That means partners like the United Way have to be able to come up with at least $1.30 per book per month. That’s why it’s important to have sponsors like Ascent Resources backing the local program.
Additional sponsors are needed, Crawford explained. Individuals can make donations toward the program on the United Way’s website, she added.
“The cool thing is, if you are a sponsor, your name is on that book,” Crawford said. “When those kids and their families get those books, they will say sponsored by that business.”
Fran DeWine, Ohio’s first lady, has been a big supporter of the project from its beginning.
“Dolly Parton had the brilliant idea to put books into the hands of kids, and I’m so proud of the work we’ve all done together in Ohio to expand the Imagination Library to all 88 counties,” she said during Friday’s First Lady’s Luncheon in Columbus. “We know our effort is helping young Ohioans in so many ways, including helping them get ready for kindergarten, which is something we all want.”
Proceeds from that luncheon, which featured Trisha Yearwood, will support the state’s Imagination Library program.
Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel last week issued a proclamation declaring Friday as Dolly Parton Day in Ohio. It’s a chance to celebrate her life, legacy and generosity.
Receiving that monthly book is something special to a child,” Crawford said.
“We want everyone who is eligible to sign up,” she added. “I remember when I used to get Highlights Magazine. I couldn’t wait to get to the mailbox. I feel like this is similar. You are going to get a free book every single month, and it’s probably going to make that child’s day. There is no income barrier -- this is for anyone and everyone.”
Since August 2025, signing up for the program has been part of Ohio’s birth certificate paperwork process. When completing the paperwork, parents and caregivers have the option to register. Crawford said women who live in Ohio and who deliver in West Virginia or Pennsylvania don’t have that option.
Registration also can be completed through the United Way’s website; by calling the United Way office at (740) 284-9000; or through the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Crawford said.