New York State Library Awards Nearly $500K to Expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Programs Statewide

The New York State Library has awarded $499,149 in competitive grants to 20 organizations, supporting 25 local programs that bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to communities across New York State. These grants will cover up to 50% of program partner costs, making it easier for libraries, schools, and nonprofits to connect young children with the joy of reading. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a community-based literacy initiative that provides one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth through age five, regardless of family income.  

New York State Librarian Lauren Moore said, “Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong learning and success, and every child deserves the chance to grow up with a love of books and stories. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library shows the power of putting books directly into children’s hands, and these grants help to extend that gift to families statewide. This program builds on the incredible work happening in libraries across New York, ensuring every child grows up surrounded by the magic of books and the endless possibilities they inspire.” 

Grant awards for 2025 range from $2,500 to $49,000, reaching rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state. Recipients include: 

For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or to see if there is a local program partner in your area, visit the Imagination Library website.

About the New York State Library 

The New York State Library, established in 1818, is the largest state library in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide, serving a diverse audience that includes researchers, educators, patrons, lawmakers, state agencies, and the general public. 

The Library preserves and maintains invaluable historical collections and works, and serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. It administers the Federal Depository Library Program in partnership with 65 selective Federal depository libraries throughout New York State. Additionally, the State Library is the official repository of New York State government publications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations. 

The Library’s mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the Research Library, which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the Talking Book and Braille Library, a free service for eligible New Yorkers unable to use standard print materials, and the Division of Library Development, which identifies opportunities to improve and expand modern library services throughout the state. 

A vital part of the Office of Cultural Education, the New York State Library is located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, N.Y. and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Its robust collections are accessible onsite and through an interlibrary loan program. Researchers worldwide can also explore government documents and historical materials through the New York State Library’s Digital Collections. 

For more information, please visit the New York State Library website and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.