Houston Public Library has partnered with the Imagination Library of Greater Houston to scale up childhood literacy enrolments, following a summer rollout across all Harris County Public Library branches, according to axios.com.
Under the collaboration, Houston Public Library branches will act as family touch points, assisting parents with registrations for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Enrolled children receive a free, age-appropriate book monthly until their fifth birthday, totaling up to 60 books from birth.
Books are distributed in English or bilingual English-Spanish editions. Funded through charitable fundraising managed by the Greater Houston nonprofit, the initiative delivers directly to households.
Launched locally in 2019 under the YMCA of Greater Houston before spinning out as an independent nonprofit, the program replicates Dolly Parton’s national literacy model designed to improve pre-school reading readiness.