Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Arkansas Imagination Library’s (ARIL) mission is to increase early literacy and school readiness in Arkansas by ensuring all young children across the state may participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  believes reading begins at birth, the benefits of a home library go far beyond the books, and parents/guardians are a child’s first and best teacher. By providing books at no cost to families, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading. 

Currently, enrollment for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is not available in Benton and Washington Counties while new community partnerships and sustainable funding are being developed.

Participating in Northwest Arkansas Gives will help us rebuild local support so that enrollment can reopen and more families can begin receiving free books each month.

Local Program Partners in Northwest Arkansas

In Northwest Arkansas, ARIL works with several local nonprofits to manage the Imagination Library program for their counties. 

Benton, Madison, and Washington Counties - Arkansas Imagination Library

Carroll County - Carroll County Youth Literacy Rotary Foundation

Sebastian, Franklin, and Crawford Counties - United Way of Fort Smith Area

Current Enrollment in Northwest Arkansas

• Benton County - 2,722 children are enrolled, which is 14% of the 0-5 population (20,120). A thriving program serves 65% of its 0-5 population, which would be 13,078 children living in Benton County. 
• Washington County - 2,535 enrolled, 16% of total 0-5 population (16,076); 65% of the 0-5 population is 10,449.
• Madison County - 202 enrolled, 22% of total 0-5 population (932); 65% of the 0-5 population is 605.
• Carroll County - 878 enrolled, 58% of total 0-5 population (1,511); 65% of the 0-5 population is 982.
• Sebastian County - 3,542 enrolled, 44% of total 0-5 population (8,084); 65% of the 0-5 population is 5,254.
• Franklin County - 515 enrolled, 58% of total 0-5 population (883); 65% of the 0-5 population is 574.
• Crawford County - 1,691 enrolled, 46% of total 0-5 population (3,638); 65% of the 0-5 population is 2,364.