On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama will reach a new early childhood literacy milestone in December, as the state surpasses two million books mailed to children across Alabama in collaboration with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“Alabama is putting our children first. Our parents are our first teachers, and by supporting early learning at home, we are helping families build strong foundations long before a child ever enters the classroom,” said Ivey. “I am proud that every young learner in all 67 counties has the opportunity to participate. We will continue making early literacy a priority – with two million books now in the hands of Alabama children and more to come.”
The new milestone comes as a result of Ivey’s ongoing partnership with the Imagination Library, which she first announced during her January 2023 inaugural address. Ivey subsequently expanded the program to cover the entire state, allowing Alabama children aged five and under to receive free books every month through local program partners in each county. In August, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, DHR, and Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, ADECE, further expanded the program to serve Alabama foster children as well.
ADECE Secretary Ami Brooks joined Ivey in celebrating the two million book milestone in a statement Monday, highlighting the payoff of statewide collaboration.
“Reaching two million books in just over two years demonstrates the dedication of our state leaders, communities, partners and families. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is helping families foster a love of reading,” Brooks said.
According to the governor’s office, over 106,000 Alabama children are now enrolled in the Imagination Library program across the state. Parents can enroll their children in the program at ImaginationLibrary.com and begin receiving books directly to their home each month at no cost.
