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Governor Newsom And Dolly Parton Join Forces To Bring Free Books To Every Child In California

June 10, 2023

Last week, Dolly Parton announced that every child in Montana will have access to free books from her Imagination Library.

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced California's statewide expansion of Parton's Imagination Library.

Credit: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

California is kicking off a statewide expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to all 58 counties — providing universal access to free books in the mail every month for approximately 2 million children (ages 0-5) over the next several years.

"Dolly Parton unites us through her music — and through her commitment to helping all kids develop a love for reading," Newsom said in a statement. "With this statewide expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, California is on track to put more free books in children's hands than any other state in the nation — broadening millions of young minds to a world of unlimited possibilities."

"I'm so thrilled at the overwhelming support to make my Imagination Library available to every child in California!" said Parton. "I want to thank Senator Shannon Grove and Senator Toni Atkins for inspiring tremendous support from California legislators and Governor Gavin Newsom for enthusiastically signing this bill. Today is an amazing milestone for children and families across the state! We still have a lot of work to do, but together we can inspire a love of reading in children across California that will last a lifetime."

Since 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has gifted over 206 million books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland.