Welcome! we understand that the power of literacy begins in the early years. We are excited to talk about that Lorain County introduced Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to our Lorain communities. An initiative dedicated to putting quality books into the hands of our county's youngest residents, regardless of their families' financial circumstances.

No matter the financial situation of the child's family, children from birth to age five can receive free, excellent books through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library subscription service.

Following its 1995 debut, the program saw rapid growth. The earliest editions of the books were limited to children residing in Dolly's home town of Sevier County, Tennessee. It grew so successful that a nationwide replication attempt was started in 2000. One million books had been mailed by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library by 2003. It turned out to be the first of many millions of books that kids would get worldwide.

In 2004, Tennessee, Dolly's home state, promised to explore statewide coverage, and international growth was imminent. The initiative began in Canada in 2006, then spread to the United States, the United Kingdom in 2007, Australia in 2013, and the Republic of Ireland in 2019. Children's access to books through Imagination Library promotes emotional growth, literacy, and preparedness for kindergarten. Reading aloud to one another also helps kids form a unique link with their parents and other caregivers.

Ohio Imagination library

The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library partnership was established in 2019 and was inspired by Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine’s passion to improve the lives of Ohio’s children. First Lady DeWine learned about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library years ago through her grandchildren, who received books from Greene County’s Imagination Library program. She saw the impact these books had on her own family and wished for every child across Ohio to have the same opportunity. Says firstladyohio.gov.

Lorain County Ohio, children receive a free books, delivered right to their home, every month until age 5. The age-appropriate books are hand-selected and mailed by a team at the Dollywood Foundation. The books are paid for through a partnership between the Lorain County Imagination Library Coalition, the Ohio General Assembly, and many local donors and foundations. Bilingual Collection is also Available. Families in Ohio also have the option to receive a 100% bilingual English/ Spanish Imagination Library book collection.

It is widely recognized that the best way to promote language development is by reading aloud to children, yet not all families have access to new and age-appropriate books for their children. Said by peoplewhocare.org. The Lorain County Imagination Library gives out more than 100,000 books a year and helps more than half of the kids who are qualified.

Families with older children reported that 94% enjoyed the books as well. More than 80% reported that their children are utilizing new words. 95% of families value the diversity and uniqueness of Imagination Library Books. Almost all registered families believe that the Lorain County Imagination Library helps their children better prepare for kindergarten.

Who is eligible to receive a book a month?

The program is now available to every child from birth to age 5 in Ohio. When enrolled, a child will be mailed a free age-appropriate book each month until their 5th birthday for free.
All children birth through age five and living in the eligible zip codes within Lorain County:

• 44001
• 44011
• 44012
• 44028
• 44035
• 44036
• 44039
• 44044
• 44049
• 44050
• 44052
• 44053
• 44054
• 44055
• 44074
• 44090

The percentage of eligible children who live in the City of Lorain. According to Imagination Library data, 27% of eligible Lorain County children live in the City of Lorain (4,479 of 16,440).

As of 11/01/23, Lorain children make up 24% of those registered for the program (2,801 of 11,409).

Once you’re done with the books what do you do with them?

In collaboration with the Lorain Public Library, a non-profit group known as "The Friends Group" accepts donations of books. Although separate from the Lorain Public Library System, they are linked with it as a non-profit organization. The Lorain Public Library System is fortunate to have five different Friends groups, each with their own meeting dates, book sales, and dues.

The benefits of joining one of these groups include a sneek peak of book sales, gives the satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive impact on your community, and the delight of making new friends are just a few advantages of joining one of these clubs. Membership forms are accessible on the Friends websites of each individual library system location and on this website.

Donations of books and DVDs are eagerly accepted by any Friends organization for use in their book sales. Since donated books are our group’s only source of funding, they are crucial to the success of our book sales. The sales proceeds are used to finance library improvements, equipment, and activities.
Although the Friends greatly appreciate the donation, they retain the right to reject contributions that do not fit the predetermined parameters.

Donation materials that are deemed unacceptable must be disposed of at the library's expense. Says lorainpubliclibrary.org.

Does accept.

• Gently used fiction and nonfiction hardcover and paperback books in good condition
• Gently used DVDs in good condition in their original case
• Gently used music CDs in good condition in a plastic case or CD sleeve
• If they are less than two years old:
• Computer books
• Test prep books
• Health or medical books
• Travel guides
• Current magazines

Does not accept.
Books or other items that are soiled, musty, moldy, have smoke, water and/or insect or animal damage, excessive highlighting or writing in the text, or damaged books with broken bindings or missing pages or covers.

• Textbooks, workbooks, and professional journals
• Encyclopedias
• Cassette tapes and VHS movies (Lorain Friends will accept VHS movies in good condition)
• Homemade copies of movies, music, or software.

All donation procedures on website.

If you can’t to donate to the library, you can also donate to:

• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Mercy Health-Thrift store
• Wheel’n & Deal’n Thrift
• Commodore Books & More
• Volunteers of America Thrift
• Habitat for Humanity

Donating to these organizations not only helps those in need, but also promotes sustainability by giving new life to items that may otherwise end up in landfills. Consider reaching out to local thrift stores, schools, or community centers as well for more donation opportunities.

The Lorain County Imagination Library can help with literacy development, which pays off in the form of successful production in school and life. Lastly, this program provides free books to children from birth to age five, helping to foster a love of reading from an early age. Additionally, research has shown that children who participate in Imagination Library programs have higher literacy rates and are better prepared for school.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Do I want to enroll my child into this program?

A. Reading to children from birth positively influences the developing brain when it is most sensitive to nurturing experiences.

Q. Do I have the time to read these books to my child?

A. Try these ways to establish a reading routine: Set a time and place, and develop a habit of prioritizing. Find elements of your routine. Read in the early morning. Cut back on TV time and read aloud on a regular basis to achieve your reading goals.

Q. Would this program be beneficial for me and my child(ren)?

A. Studies found Dolly Parton's Imagination Library had promise with respect to developing children's early literacy skills, as participants had more advanced skills than their classmates who did not participate in the program.