Frequently Asked Questions About Door County’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program
What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a FREE book gifting program for young children. This program is in many communities throughout the United States and internationally. The program is brought to communities by local partners who choose to provide the program to their communities. The program began in Door County in December 2019. The program mails brand new, high-quality books to children each month until their 5th Birthday.
The goal of the program is to ensure that all Door County children have access to books in their homes. We want to help families build their own home libraries and really build a love of reading in our young children! A great deal of research has shown a connection between having books in the home and future school success for children. Find out more about the overall Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/.
Who is eligible for the program?
Children who live in Door County and are between birth and their 5th Birthday.
How do we sign up?
You can register online on the Door County Partnership for Children & Families website at doorcountyparents.com/dpil. Paper registration forms are also available at the United Way of Door County Office or at all Door County Library branches.
Can I register more than one child?
Absolutely! We encourage families to register all of their children (birth to 5th Birthday) for this program. The books are mailed in the child’s name, so they get to create their own personal library. Also, the books are based on age – so you if you have children of different ages, they will get different books (after the initial Welcome Book).
That sounds too good to be true. Is there some kind of catch? How can this be free?
We know what you mean. It really is a pretty amazing program, which is why we’re so happy to bring it to Door County. There is no catch. There is no cost to the families who register their children. Your information will not be shared with anyone for any purpose.
Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library program to make books more available to young children, because early experience with reading is so important to their futures.
While there is no cost to families who participate, the cost for the program is covered by the local community affiliate, which is the Door County Partnership for Children and Families (DCPCF), a program of United Way of Door County. The DCPCF works to secure generous community donations and grants to support the costs for this program.
Because the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a national and international program, that means they operate on a very large scale, purchasing and mailing more than a million books each month for children around the world. That’s how they are able to provide this service at a cost low enough to be covered by donations, so that all families can participate for free.
How secure is the information provided to Imagination Library?
Both the Door County Partnership for Children & Families and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library take information security very seriously. We will not share it or use it for any purpose other than this service.
I live outside of Door County. How can we get Imagination Library in my area?
Great idea! Thousands of communities work with the national organization, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to offer this program. You can find out how to do it by visiting https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/.
I live in Door County, but my grandchild does not. Can I have their books sent to my house?
Great question! Unfortunately, children need to live in Door County to be a part of the Door County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. We would encourage you to look into the area where your grandchild(ren) live and see if there is a program there (https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/). And if there is not, books make fantastic birthday and holiday gifts!
When will my child get the first book?
The first book will arrive approximately 6-8 weeks after you sign up. Because the national organization is so large, it takes a little while to get new addresses into their system. But once you get the first book, a new book will come regularly every month until your child’s fifth birthday.
I thought I signed up, but I never got a book.
The first book will arrive approximately 6-8 weeks after you sign up. For example, if you sign up in September, your child will receive the first book in November or December.
Because the national organization is so large, it takes a little while to get new addresses into their system. But once you get the first book, a new book will come regularly every month until your child’s fifth birthday.
If you have already waited two or three months for the first book:
Please make sure the postal service knows to deliver mail for your child’s name to that address. Add your child’s name to the mailbox, leave a note for the mail carrier, or submit “change of address” information on the US Postal Service website, adding your child’s name to the address.
Did you receive an email confirming your registration? If not, there may have been an issue with your sign-up. Please call the Door County Partnership for Children & Families at 920-421-3146 so we can help.
My child missed a book.
If it is this month’s book: Sometimes the book doesn’t come until the very last day of the month. If it doesn’t come by the beginning of next month, please call the Door County Partnership for Children and Families at 920-421-3146 so we can help.
If you have already waited past the end of the month:
Did you recently move? If so, you need to change your mailing address in the Parent Login section of the national website for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. You can also contact the Door County Partnership for Children and Families at 920-421-3146 to update your mailing address. Also, please make sure the postal service knows to deliver mail for your child’s name to that address. Add your child’s name to the mailbox, leave a note for the mail carrier, or submit “change of address” information on the US Postal Service website, adding your child’s name to the address.
If you have already waited past the end of the month, and you have not moved recently: Please call the Door County Partnership for Children and Families at 920-421-3146 so we can help.
One child got a book, but my other child didn’t.
Books are mailed by age group. All children receive the same first book (regardless of age). After that, children of different ages will receive their books at different times of the month. Once each of your children has received a first book, each month’s books should arrive by the last day of the month – but not necessarily on the same day each month.
How do I change my address?
Change your mailing address in the Parent Section of the national website for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. If you don’t remember your log-in information, click on the Forgot Password link.
What books will my child receive?
Every child receives the same Welcome book, regardless of age. That first book is The Little Engine That Could. After that, the books are sent based on age. For a list of books for your child’s age group, check here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/book-list/. The final book that all children receive for their 5th Birthday is Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!.
I want to make a donation. How can I do that?
Thank you for considering a donation to this program! Because of generous community donors like you, we are able to keep offering this program to young children here in Door County. If you are interested in making a donation, there are multiple options. You can stop into the United Way of Door County office and make your donation or you can send a check in to make your donation. Please make checks payable to United Way of Door County and note that it is for the Imagination Library program. This helps us ensure that your donation is supporting the specific program that you are wishing to sponsor.
We also encourage people to make donations as gifts. If you have someone special that you would like to recognize with a donation, please let us know. We would be happy to send you a recognition certificate. Please contact the Door County Partnership for Children and Families at (920)421-3146.
You can also find our donation gift form online here: https://doorcountyparents.com/dpil/
