Montana's First Lady visits Ekalaka Public Library

Courtesy of Southeast Electric Cooperative

As children are heading back to school, Montana's first lady, Susan Gianforte, has announced the statewide launch of the Imagination Library of Montana in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The partnership will assist programs already in place while also expanding programs statewide to every zip code in Montana. Through the partnership, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will provide a free book each month to any Montana child, ages 0 to 5 years old, who is registered with the organization.

"Literacy is critical for our kids and their development. When parents read to their kids or when a child reads, it engages them, it fires their imagination, and sparks their curiosity," First Lady Susan Gianforte said. "I'm proud of the partnership we've developed with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and local organizations throughout Montana. Working together, we'll make sure all our youngest kids have access to reading resources so they can dream, grow, and reach their full potential."

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Program Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 2 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five.

Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More. "I'm so excited to be launching my Imagination Library statewide in Montana!" Dolly Parton stated, "I want to send my very special thanks to First Lady Susan Gianforte for her partnership in making this amazing gift available to children and families across the state."

Mrs. Gianforte visited Ekalaka on June 14, 2023, to promote the program. Southeast Electric and Ekalaka Public Schools have been program partners with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library since May of 2021. Together, they currently cover seven zip codes and have 47 children receiving a free book each month. For more information, or to register a child, please visit http://www.seecoop.com or imaginationlibrary.com.