New Newborn Initiative to Register Babies

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Today, Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine announced a new statewide initiative designed to enroll more Ohio children immediately after birth in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. Studies have shown that books in the home, such as the books the Imagination Library provides to children from birth to age five, and more reading can increase Kindergarten Readiness Assessment scores.

First Lady DeWine made the announcement that signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is now part of the Ohio birth certificate paperwork process today during the 2025 First Lady’s Luncheon. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also participated in the program, along with country music legend Zac Brown. 

“Research has shown that 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three, so we want to get books into the home as early as possible in order to have the most impact,” said First Lady DeWine. “I am thrilled to announce that now, as part of the Ohio birth certificate process, moms and dads will learn about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and have the chance to sign up at the hospital before they head home with their newborn. One simple checkmark will give Ohio’s little ones a great start in life.”

Imagination Library books have been available to newborns, but through this new enrollment initiative, more families will know that this program is available to them in the very first few days that their child is eligible to sign up. Enrollment at birth will result in more young children receiving the complete collection – all 60 books – that the Imagination Library offers. Opting into the program results in one age-appropriate book mailed to the child’s home every month until he or she turns five years old.

Brown not only provided entertainment at the luncheon, but also offered his support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio by donating a signed guitar, which was put up for auction.

Brown also shared his passion for projects, such as his Camp Southern Ground and the Hop On A Cure Foundation, dedicated to ALS research funding. Camp Southern Ground in Fayetteville, Georgia, is a nonprofit established in 2011 by Brown, and offers summer camp programming for children, along with several programs for veterans. Brown also spoke about his involvement with Hop On A Cure Foundation, which aims to accelerate research to find a cure to ALS.

“My brother John had ALS, so the support of ALS research is important to our family,” said First Lady DeWine. “I appreciate Zac for coming to Ohio to share his amazing musical talent with us, and I respect his dedication to projects that are working to improve the lives of so many.”  

Since 2019, nearly 23 million books in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio program have been mailed to children in Ohio at no cost to families. Currently, more than 404,000 children are participating, which represents 70% of Ohio households that have a child under the age of five. 

Organized in 2021, the Ohio First Lady’s Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and financial support for the First Lady of Ohio’s philanthropic endeavors. The foundation hosted the 2023 Ohio First Lady’s Luncheon to raise awareness and financial support for organizations that provide food to Ohio families. At the inaugural First Lady’s Luncheon in 2022, proceeds supported Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio is a book gifting program available to all Ohio children between birth and age 5. Families can sign up for free books at OhioImaginationLibrary.org.