New York State Library grants nearly $500K to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

The New York State Library has announced the distribution of nearly $500,000 in grants to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs across New York. A total of $499,149 will be awarded to 20 organizations, supporting 25 local programs that aim to provide free books to young children throughout the state. The grants will cover up to half of the program partner costs, helping libraries, schools, and nonprofits deliver monthly books to children from birth through age five.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a literacy initiative that sends one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled children, regardless of family income.

Lauren Moore, New York State Librarian, said, “Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong learning and success, and every child deserves the chance to grow up with a love of books and stories. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library shows the power of putting books directly into children’s hands, and these grants help to extend that gift to families statewide. This program builds on the incredible work happening in libraries across New York, ensuring every child grows up surrounded by the magic of books and the endless possibilities they inspire.”

Grant awards for 2025 range from $2,500 to $49,000 and will benefit rural, suburban, and urban communities. Recipients include organizations such as Ardent Solutions in Allegany County, Binghamton City School District in Broome County, Read to Succeed Buffalo in Erie County, Rochester Education Foundation in Monroe County, United Way of Central New York in Onondaga County, United Way of New York City in New York County, and United Way of Westchester and Putnam in Westchester County. Other grant recipients are listed across various counties including Chautauqua, Wayne, Jefferson, Dutchess, Ulster, Oneida, Oswego, Steuben, and Chemung.

The New York State Library was established in 1818 and is recognized as the largest state library in the United States. It oversees more than 7,000 libraries statewide and serves researchers, educators, lawmakers, state agencies, and the public. The library maintains historical collections and serves as a regional depository for federal publications. It also administers the Federal Depository Library Program with 65 selective federal depository libraries in New York State.

The library advances its mission through divisions such as the Research Library—which houses over 20 million items—the Talking Book and Braille Library for eligible New Yorkers with print disabilities, and the Division of Library Development that seeks to improve library services statewide. The library is part of the Office of Cultural Education and is located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany. Its collections are available onsite and through interlibrary loan programs. Digital collections can be accessed online by researchers worldwide.

For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or to find local program partners, visit the Imagination Library website. Details about the New York State Library’s services can be found on its official website.