Green Bay children can get free books every month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – Some children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old can get a free book mailed to their home every month with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Amanda Johnson, Executive Director of the Howe Resource Center in Green Bay says Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library decades ago.

“Her father was a coal miner, an illiterate coal miner. She really, truly believed that had he had the access to books and been able to read, his life wouldn’t have been as difficult as it was,” said Johnson. “So she started a foundation decades ago to ensure that all children can have access to books.”

Now, thanks to a generous 50 thousand dollar grant from The George Kress Foundation, the Howe Resource Center can send books to children in the 54301 and 54302 zip codes.

“We are not only in a food desert in Green Bay. We’re also in a book desert,” said Johnson. “A book desert is defined as a households that have under a certain number of books.”

Johnson says the Imagination Library books are all developmentally appropriate. Additionally, the books are available to all children in the zip codes. 

“What’s truly unique about this program is its true equitability,” said Johnson. “It’s not just for low income. You’re not taking a spot away from someone if you register your child for the books. No matter what socioeconomic status you are, the only qualifications, right now, for our program are that you live in the 54301 and 54302 zip codes.”

Parents can register their children to receive the books, free of charge, by visiting The Howe Resource Center online.