T.J. Kelly Chief Financial Officer | Washington Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instruction
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has announced funding for the Imagination Library of Washington, ensuring its operation for another year. The program, founded by Dolly Parton in honor of her father, provides free books to children from birth to age five.
In 2022, the state expanded access to this program through a partnership involving the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This expansion allowed all children in Washington to receive monthly books at no cost.
The Imagination Library is supported by local partners and state funds, with each book costing $2.60. Currently serving 120,000 children across Washington's 39 counties, the program faced potential cuts due to a $12 billion budget shortfall affecting early learning programs.
"Washington’s youngest children cannot afford to have their opportunities for early learning cut to this extent," stated State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the program's infrastructure despite funding challenges: "Through limited discretionary funds, my agency will keep this program funded for one more year with the goal being to obtain permanent funding from the Legislature next session."
Families can enroll their children easily in the program online and opt for bilingual options providing books in English and Spanish.
Brooke Fisher-Clark, Executive Director of the Imagination Library of Washington, expressed gratitude towards Superintendent Reykdal and OSPI: “This program has the potential to be absolutely life changing for Washington students... As Dolly Parton often says, ‘you can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.’”
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