Happy Birthday Dolly! From “9 to 5” to Ages 0–5: Dolly Parton’s Gift to Young Readers

Dolly Parton has given the world a lot to sing about. On her birthday, we are also celebrating one of her most meaningful gifts of all: helping families build a love of reading from the very beginning.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book gifting program that mails one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled children from birth to age five.

Books show up in your mailbox

At Kenton County Public Library, we see it all the time: reading becomes a routine because it is easy to start. A book arrives. A grown-up reads it out loud. A child asks for “again.” Then again. Then again.

A new Northern Kentucky partnership that makes it even easier to enroll

We are proud to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kenton County. Now, thanks to a regional partnership, signing up can start right at birth.

WCPO: New Partnership Gives Families Access to Free Books

St. Elizabeth Healthcare, EducateNKY and public libraries across Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties are working together so families can enroll using a QR code in St. Elizabeth postpartum units, before they even leave the hospital.

How the program is funded in Northern Kentucky

Families never pay for the books. Locally, the program is supported through a shared funding structure that includes the Commonwealth of Kentucky, area library systems including Kenton County Public Library and school districts in the county.

How to sign up

If you live in Kenton County and have a child under age 5, enrollment is simple through the library’s Imagination Library page. You also can browse the library’s events calendar to find storytimes and early learning programs, opens a new window happening across KCPL branches.