MONTEREY COUNTY — Children across Monterey County can now receive free books delivered to their homes each month through the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an early literacy program available to all children from birth to age 5.
The program, which officially launched this summer, is being introduced locally through a collaborative effort led by First 5 Monterey County, Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Initiative, Bright Futures Education Partnership and community partners, with seed funding from Taylor Farms.
Organizers are prioritizing outreach to families who face barriers to accessing early learning resources, particularly low-income households, English language learners, families living in rural areas and Indigenous communities.
Under the program, every enrolled child will receive a free, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home each month until their fifth birthday. Books are available in English or in bilingual English-Spanish editions.
A launch event took place last month at the Orom Child Development Center in Salinas to formally open the program and raise awareness among families of the county’s more than 34,000 children from birth to age 5 who are eligible to participate.
The June 18 event featured story time with preschoolers, a reading circle and opportunities for parents and community partners to learn more about the program. Monterey County District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez, who is also chair of the First 5 Monterey County Commission, was among those in attendance.
“This morning I joined First 5 Monterey County to launch Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library right here in Monterey County. What a day for our kids,” Lopez wrote on social media afterward.
Lopez highlighted the long-term benefits of enrolling early.
“A child who signs up at birth can start kindergarten with up to 60 books of their own,” he said. “Every month you wait is a book your child misses. Do not let that happen. Signing up takes a few minutes and it is completely free.”
Other local officials attending included King City City Manager José Arreola, King City Mayor Mike LeBarre and Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez, who also posted about the launch on social media.
“As a mom and mayor, I know the importance of this investment, the value of early literacy, a lifetime of success and lasting memories,” Velazquez said. “I invested in books for my boys and we still read them together.”
According to a recent evaluation conducted by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, just 10 books can lead to measurable gains in early literacy and vocabulary, and children participating in the program were at least four times more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills, including vocabulary and phonological awareness, than children not enrolled.
Research has consistently shown that access to books during early childhood plays an important role in language development, school readiness and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Organizers said many families in Monterey County, particularly those in rural areas or facing language barriers, have limited access to age-appropriate books at home.
Following the event, First 5 Monterey County celebrated the program’s launch online.
“Today we hosted a kick-off of the Monterey County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” the organization wrote. “A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us and all our community partners. Seeing so many families, neighbors and community champions from all over Monterey County come together for our littlest readers made this day truly unforgettable.”
The organization also emphasized that families can enroll immediately.
“Now every child living in Monterey County from the day they are born until the day they turn five can sign-up TODAY to receive a FREE, age-appropriate book every single month. The books come in English or English/Spanish,” the post stated. “No cost. No catch. Just books and a love of stories that lasts a lifetime.”
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has distributed more than 300 million free books to children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
The Monterey County program is funded through a partnership among Dolly Parton and her foundation, the State of California and local partners, including Taylor Farms, First 5 Monterey County, Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Initiative, Bright Futures Educational Partnership and other community organizations.
Families can enroll children in the program by visiting first5monterey.org/imaginationlibrary. The program is open to all Monterey County children from birth to age 5 and provides one free, age-appropriate book each month in either English or bilingual English-Spanish editions. A child enrolled at birth can receive up to 60 books before entering kindergarten.
