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OLYMPIA, Wash. — Despite earlier commitments made by the state in 2022, funding to expand the Imagination Library of Washington was not included in the final budget, which could impact over 121,000 children currently enrolled in the program.
The final 2025–2027 operating budget for Washington State was released on Saturday, April 26, with the legislative session officially concluding on Sunday, April 27.
Founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 in honor of her father — who could not read or write — the Imagination Library is the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation. The program provides children from birth to age 5 with a high-quality, age-appropriate book every month, at no cost to families, inspiring a love of reading and strengthening early literacy.
“This is a heartbreaking loss to our team, our 46 local Imagination Library partners, and, most importantly, the 121,000 children across Washington, who receive the gift of a free book each month,” stated Brooke Fisher-Clark, executive director of Imagination Library of Washington.
Established as a statewide program in 2022, the Imagination Library of Washington became the first west coast expansion and the 11th statewide program nationwide among the 21 existing statewide programs. Its public-private partnership model relies on a 50/50 funding match: 50% from the state and 50% from local Imagination Library partners. In 2022, Washington lawmakers affirmed their support through House Bill 2068, including vital funding for the program.
“We are deeply disappointed by Washington’s decision to withdraw from our partnership to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across the state. The close of the budget session does not prevent Washington’s leaders from taking action to fund its portion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as promised to the state’s children and families. We remain sincerely grateful for our partnership and hope that state leaders will find a path forward to honor this commitment,” stated Jeff Conyers, vice chair and president of The Dollywood Foundation.
In the absence of state funding, the Imagination Library of Washington and its local partners will only continue if critical funds can be raised from the public to maintain the book match, allowing Washington children to receive their monthly books.
Established in 2022, the Imagination Library of Washington serves as the statewide partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Powered by the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and in partnership with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families, Imagination Library of Washington promotes a love of reading among young learners by ensuring equitable access to free monthly books. Collaborating with 46 local program partners statewide, the program enrolls children from birth to age 5 to receive one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month, delivered directly to their homes at no cost to families. Research has shown the program’s significant impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. For more information, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington. org.
Without state investment, the Imagination of Library of Washington and its local Imagination Library partners must raise critical funds to continue mailing books to enrolled children. The funding request for the biennium was $7 million ($3.2 million in the first year and $3.8 million in the second year) to support current enrollment and anticipated growth.
Donations can be made at www.imaginationlibrarywashington. org/donate, or checks may be mailed to Imagination Library of Washington, 400 Union Avenue SE, Suite 200, Olympia, WA 98501.
