The Mansfield Community Teachers Association is seeking community support to help continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for young children in the Mansfield area following the end of state funding for the program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides participating children with a free book mailed to their home each month from birth until age 5. The program was founded by Parton in 1995 in honor of her father and is intended to encourage a love of reading during children’s earliest years.
According to information shared by the Mansfield CTA, the organization served as the program’s local community partner for six years before Missouri provided funding from 2023 through 2026.
With that state funding now ended, the Mansfield CTA is working to partner with the program again and is asking residents, businesses and organizations to consider helping cover the local cost.
The association estimates the program costs approximately $31 per child each year.
Those interested in contributing may donate online at donate.imaginationlibrary.com and enter designation code 65704 to direct their contribution to MOMANSFIELDSD.
Organizers said two donors have already contributed to help give the program a boost for the new school year.
The Imagination Library is supported through Dolly Parton’s program and participating local community partners, helping put books directly into the hands of young children and encourage early childhood literacy.
