(FRANKLIN COUNTY, OH) — Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine joined Franklin County Board of Commissioners President Erica C. Crawley to host a special book reading event celebrating Franklin County’s new partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. The event, held at G. Tyree Learning Center, featured readings of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and K is for Kindness to local children.
“I am grateful to work alongside the Franklin County Commissioners as we continue to encourage more families in Franklin County to sign up for the Imagination Library’s free monthly book delivery,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “The Franklin County Commissioners’ financial support will allow our program to grow and reach even more families with young children.”
To support this initiative, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recently approved a $150,000 grant for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Franklin County. This investment will fund the local cost of mailing over 115,000 books to children throughout the county over the next year.
“Together with First Lady DeWine, we are proud to champion a love of reading through the Imagination Library,” said Board President, Commissioner Erica C. Crawley. “Each book opens a door to adventure and knowledge, giving our youngest learners the tools they need to thrive.”
Currently, 45,223 children in Franklin County, representing 52% of all children from birth to age five, are enrolled in the Imagination Library. Each child receives a high-quality, age-appropriate book delivered directly to their home every month, completely free of charge.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is made possible through a unique public-private funding model. Thanks to the continued support of the Ohio General Assembly, the Imagination Library of Ohio covers 50% of the cost of each book mailed to children across the state’s 88 counties. The remaining cost is funded by local program partners—nonprofit organizations that serve as advocates and fundraisers for the program in their communities. In Franklin County, Nationwide Children’s Hospital proudly serves as the local program partner.
Books are available through the national Imagination Library program at just $2.60 each. Caregivers never pay to participate, ensuring every child has access to books during their critical early years of development.
Statewide, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio currently mails books to more than 409,000 children each month. The program is available to all Ohio children from birth to age five at no cost to families.
To learn more or enroll, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org.
