Reaching More
Newborns
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
Signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is part of the Ohio birth certificate paperwork process!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio is proud to launch a groundbreaking initiative to register newborns immediately after birth—making it the first state in the nation to try this innovative approach.
By enrolling newborns, we’re ensuring that children are enrolled in the program longer, increasing the program’s impact and the child’s future success.
How It Works
Signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is part of the Ohio birth certificate paperwork process. While completing the paperwork, caregivers will be asked if they would like to sign their newborn up to receive a free monthly book delivery from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
By checking YES, a newborn will receive the complete collection of books the Imagination Library has to offer— 60 books in total!
Importance of Early Literacy
The best time to begin enjoying shared reading together is at birth.
Reading with a child isn’t just about words—it’s about love, connection, and the joy of discovery. Studies show that children who experience regular shared reading with caregivers (including siblings) develop stronger emotional bonds, leading to greater confidence and social skills.
With a child’s brain being nearly 80% developed by age three, early literacy is critical to a child’s future success. There is also a positive correlation between the length of time a child is enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and their Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) score.
Equitable Access
By offering registration at all Ohio birthing hospitals and birthing centers, every family will have the opportunity to register for this crucial program as soon as possible. Caregivers will be able to select between the Imagination Library’s traditional book collection, which features 10 English books and two English/Spanish bilingual books, or the full English/Spanish bilingual collection. This empowers families to begin to teach their children a second language, at the most critical time…at birth.
Starting Early is the Difference
“By the time a child reaches age three, almost 80% of brain growth has occurred. If we enroll a child as a newborn verses one year, that is 1/3 of the time of critical development that we’re capturing. ”