Indiana first lady launches fundraising effort for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
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In February, Gov. Mike Braun announced he had asked First Lady Maureen Braun to spearhead an effort to identify funding opportunities to keep Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Indiana.
The program, which had received $6 million in funding in the 2023-2024 biennial budget, saw its funding slashed as part of spending cuts proposed for the 2025-2026 state budget in this year’s legislative session.
The first lady announced this week that she has formally launched a fundraising initiative to sustain the program throughout the state.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. The program was initially available in about 54 Indiana counties and was expanded to cover all 92 counties in August 2023.
Braun’s office said in a news release that the first lady will collaborate with philanthropic organizations and state leaders to secure funding and raise awareness of the program. The initiative also aims to enroll more children in every county and ensure the program’s sustainability.
“Reading opens up a world of imagination for kids, and having books in the home benefits children in school and throughout their lives,” Maureen Braun said in the release. “I’m proud to champion this effort to keep Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library growing strong here in Indiana and to help Hoosier kids develop a lifelong love of reading.”
Jeff Conyers, president and vice chair of The Dollywood Foundation, said the first lady’s commitment to ensuring the success of the program in Indiana gives the foundation confidence that the program will flourish.
You can learn more about the program from the Indiana State Library by clicking here.