Imagination Library of Louisville

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Imagination Library of Louisville Our mission is to provide free books to Louisville children in an effort to foster a love of reading and better prepare them for kindergarten.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Louisville was founded in 2016 through a partnership between the Junior League of Louisville, WAVE 3 News and the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation. Its mission is to put more books in the hands of Jefferson County children in an effort to foster a child’s love of reading and prepare them for kindergarten. We believe that by improving early education in our community, we can contribute to the lifelong success of Jefferson County children. Beginning in January 2017, children who are enrolled will receive a free book in the mail every month after enrollment until their 5th birthday. The books are addressed to them, and are theirs to keep in order to help families build a library in their home at no cost. Each year, a committee of early childhood education experts selects age appropriate books that work to bring families together and create a culture of reading.
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This program can be instrumental to the success of kids in Jefferson County, where nearly half of all children do not enter kindergarten ready to learn. And early success predicts future success, as nearly two-thirds of students who reach the fourth grade without proficient reading skills end up in welfare or in prison. We believe that future is unacceptable for our children, and are working to directly change the outcome through the Imagination Library.
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In its first year, it will serve up to 500 children under the age of 5 who live in the 40202, 40203 and 40208 zip codes. Everyone in those zip codes, regardless of family income, is welcome to participate. Community partners would like to see the program expand to include every zip code in Jefferson County.
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The Imagination Library of Louisville is made possible thanks to Delta Dental, the Rotary Club of Louisville and other generous sponsors.

Happy National Farmer’s Day! 🚜🌾Today is the perfect day to pull out Green Tractor by Kersten Hamilton, illustrated by Va...
10/12/2026

Happy National Farmer’s Day! 🚜🌾

Today is the perfect day to pull out Green Tractor by Kersten Hamilton, illustrated by Valeria Petrone, one of the books included in the 2026 Imagination Library collection.

Make storytime a little more interactive by asking your child to:
🚜 Spot the different vehicles
🐄 Name the animals they see
🌾 Talk about what grows on a farm
🔊 Make their best tractor sound

Books give little readers a chance to explore places near and far, even from the comfort of home.

What's your child's favorite part of book delivery day? Is it the mailbox run, the first peek at the cover, or the cuddl...
10/09/2026

What's your child's favorite part of book delivery day? Is it the mailbox run, the first peek at the cover, or the cuddle-up storytime? All across Jefferson County, October's books are arriving, and we can't wait to hear about it! 💛

English Library

Born in 2026: Pudgy Pat-A-Cake
Born in 2025: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Born in 2024: Diggers Love Their Friends!
Born in 2023: A Little Like Magic
Born in 2022: Don't Trust Fish
Born in 2021: Something Wild

Biblioteca bilingüe (español / English)

Nacido en 2026: Arcoiris de colores / Rainbow Colors Peekaboo!
Nacido en 2025: Las primeras palabras del bebé/ Baby's First Words
Nacido en 2024: a hora de jugar / Playtime
Nacido en 2023: Me pregunto / I Wonder
Nacido en 2022: Aves del mismo plumaje / Birds of a Feather
Nacido en 2021: Un cielo azul blancas estrellas / Blue Sky White Stars

This Saturday, October 10th - come enjoy the largest one-day event in Southwest Jefferson County, with live entertainmen...
10/08/2026

This Saturday, October 10th - come enjoy the largest one-day event in Southwest Jefferson County, with live entertainment, a car show, food vendors, and fun for all ages! 🍂

And this year there’s big news! 🎉 For every child (0-5) who registers for Imagination Library at the festival, Shirley’s Way will donate $100 to Imagination Library - up to $5,000!

Know a family with a little one who isn’t enrolled yet? Let them know they can stop by our booth on Saturday! 📚

📍 Sun Valley Park, 6616 Bethany Lane
🕙 10am-4pm

We were so grateful to be a part of the LG&E Day of Caring! 💚❤️ This amazing group of LG&E employees volunteered part of...
10/07/2026

We were so grateful to be a part of the LG&E Day of Caring! 💚❤️ This amazing group of LG&E employees volunteered part of their afternoon to help us write handwritten cards to some of our September grads.

Thank you! 📚💌

There’s something special about finding a book in the mailbox with your name on it.For children enrolled in Dolly Parton...
10/05/2026

There’s something special about finding a book in the mailbox with your name on it.

For children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, that excitement arrives every month.

Each free, age-appropriate book brings a new story to explore, a new reason to read together, and another chance to build a love of books from the very beginning.

Kentucky children from birth to age five are eligible to enroll. Know a little reader who should be getting books in the mail? Sign them up today: https://imaginationlibrary.com/kentucky

Thank you, Louisville! 💖🦋We are overwhelmed and so touched by the outpouring of support for the very first Dolly Day her...
09/30/2026

Thank you, Louisville! 💖🦋

We are overwhelmed and so touched by the outpouring of support for the very first Dolly Day here in our city. The community stepped up to celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton and to help us continue her dream through Imagination Library. Every book that lands in a child's mailbox is part of that dream, and you made sure more of them will.

To everyone who came out to celebrate with us, thank you. Your energy, your kindness and your love of reading, and of Dolly herself, made the day.

We are so grateful to the local businesses and organizations that supported our mission with their own Dolly Day celebrations:

Kawaii Candy and Karaoke
Canary Club
Kentucky Science Center
Revelry Art Boutique
Royal's Hot Chicken
West Sixth
Sit Still Kids Louisville
Butcher Cabin Books
Two Chick and Co.
The Bard Theater
Dollface Brows
Sanctuary Massage and Spa
Kentucky Performing Arts
Paristown Hall
Foxing Books

And a special thank you to our school partners, St. Bernard Elementary School and Greathouse Shyrock Elementary. Thank you for showing our youngest readers what a love of books can do.

Because of all of you, more children in Jefferson County will grow up with books of their own. We are so grateful to call this community home.

It's Donate like Dolly week at Kentucky Blood Center!All donors who give at a KBC donor center Sept. 4 or Sept. 28–Oct. ...
09/29/2026

It's Donate like Dolly week at Kentucky Blood Center!

All donors who give at a KBC donor center Sept. 4 or Sept. 28–Oct. 3 or will receive a commemorative "Donate Like Dolly" T-shirt, and a $5 donation will be made to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. T-shirts are while supplies last.

Learn more here: https://www.kybloodcenter.org/events/donate-like-dolly-day

✨ Are you ready for DOLLY DAY in Louisville? ✨This Friday, 9/25 (nine to five, of course), we're celebrating Dolly Parto...
09/24/2026

✨ Are you ready for DOLLY DAY in Louisville? ✨

This Friday, 9/25 (nine to five, of course), we're celebrating Dolly Parton's music, her sparkle, and her legacy of literacy and giving back. So many local businesses are "Donating Like Dolly" this week, and we want you to join the fun!

Here's your guide to the celebration:

📚 Foxing Books (South End)
Kids Book Giveaway, 2-5 PM. Free books for young readers in Dolly's honor!

🎬 Kentucky Science Center (with WFPK)
9 to 5 on the 4-story screen! Celebrating Dolly's legacy and the Imagination Library's impact on kids everywhere. *Tickets required.

🎬 Kentucky Performing Arts
Free screening of 9 to 5, no tickets needed. Grab a specialty cocktail, dress the part (rhinestones, big hair, country glam), and come early to snag a seat.

💃 Canary Club (Shelby Park)
Dolly party all night long! Vinyl DJ spins 6-9 PM, dance party 9 PM-1 AM. Photo wall, Dolly props, POCO food, and cocktails for a cause.

🎤 Kawaii Candy and Karaoke (Chamberlain Lane)
Karaoke rooms + claw machines, all ages welcome! 100% of karaoke sales and 20% of tokens go to Imagination Library of Louisville.

🖼️ Revelry Gallery (NuLu)
Dolly-inspired art tribute in the front window, 9/25-9/27. Opening night proceeds give back to Imagination Library of Louisville.

💇‍♀️ Dollface Brows (NuLu)
Get pampered on Dolly Day and $9.25 from your appointment will be donated to Imagination Library of Louisville. Can't get an appointment? Grab a magnet, candle, or sticker from their shop instead - it still helps the cause!

🥤 Royal's Hot Chicken (NuLu)
Try the Frosted Pink Lemonade (vanilla soft serve + frozen pink lemonade) - proceeds from each one sold will be donated to the Imagination Library of Louisville.

🍻 West Sixth NuLu
Order a "Cup of Ambition" and $1 per pour is donated. Round up your coworkers and cheers to Dolly!

Right now, all across Jefferson County, kids are running to the mailbox for one reason: their monthly book delivery has ...
09/23/2026

Right now, all across Jefferson County, kids are running to the mailbox for one reason: their monthly book delivery has arrived! September's picks are here, and our little readers are excitedly curling up for storytime with the grown-ups in their lives.

📚 English Library - by birth year
2026: Pudgy Book of Mother Goose
2025: The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Signs
2024: K is for Kindness
2023: Roar-Choo!
2022: The Biggest Dog in the Book
2021: George & Lenny Are Always Together

📚Biblioteca bilingüe (español/inglés) - por año de nacimiento
2026: Sonidos de bebe / Baby Sounds
2025: Dulces poemitas para las orejitas / Little Poems for Tiny Ears
2024: Una hojas, dos, hojas, cuenta conmigo! / One Leaf, Two Leaf, Count with Me!
2023: Donut / Rosquilla
2022: Ladrillo a Ladrillo / Brick by Brick
2021: Daniel Finds A Poem / Daniel encuentra un poema

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Racing Louisville FC and Angel City FC, and to every fan who showed up on September 5...
09/15/2026

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Racing Louisville FC and Angel City FC, and to every fan who showed up on September 5th ready to support a cause close to home.

Through their "9 to 5" fundraiser, one dollar from every Smoky Mountain Cherry Limeade sold during the match went to Imagination Library of Louisville, and Angel City FC matched that donation - doubling the impact!

This generous gift is helping us get more books into the hands of more children right here in Louisville. We are so grateful to both clubs and to all of the amazing fans who came together to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton.

Address

725 S. Floyd Street
Louisville, KY
40203

Telephone

+15025852201

Website

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