Since 1995, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has been gifting books to children around the world, with the help local champions to help defray the cost of the program. The Community Foundation of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is proud of its partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination (DPIL) and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library (OGIL), which together mail free, high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, no matter their family’s income, in Highland County and four other counties around the state that are served by electric cooperatives.

Your generous support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Highland County Initiative will help maintain and expand outreach to increase the number of children enrolled, receiving books, and learning the pleasure of reading. The Community Foundation of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is the primary DPIL/OGIL affiliate sponsor in Highland County, where there are 1,383 children registered who receive a book every month through the program (a 14% increase over last year).

Evidence shows that focus on early literacy skills forms the foundation for later academic achievement. Dolly Parton Imagination Library programs provide books to our youngest neighbors from birth to their 5th birthday monthly to make sure all children have access to their own books. The program also provides information to families to make sure their reading time with children is that much more enriching.