NEVADA CITY, CA: Rotary Club of Nevada City, in partnership with First 5 Nevada County, announced today that they have reached their fundraising goal to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in Nevada County. The program provides all children from birth to age five with a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their homes each month. Families can register online or by mail-in form at imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/ to enroll in the program.
The initiative will kick off with a celebration and enrollment drive hosted by First 5 Nevada County during the Nevada County Fair, August 6-10. Families with children under the age of 5 can visit the Kids’ Corner between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day of the fair to sign up, receive an extra free book, and participate in other fun, free activities.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting young children during the most critical years of brain development. Early exposure to books and reading fosters foundational literacy, stronger school readiness, and lifelong learning habits.
“We’re excited that this partnership brings the joy of reading directly into the homes of young children and their families,” said Melody Easton, Executive Director of First 5 Nevada County. “These early years are crucial, and the Imagination Library helps set the stage for success in school and in life. We are grateful for the Nevada City Rotary Club’s generous support in making this possible.”
“As a lifelong lover of books, this program is especially dear to my heart” said Andrea Mason, Co-Chair of the Nevada City Rotary Youth Services Committee. “By bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to our county, we’re making sure all children ages 0-5 have access to books and can learn to love reading from the very start.”
Families interested in learning more about the program can visit imaginationlibrary.com or contact Melody Easton at melody@first5nevco.org.
Hallie Anderson, Community Engagement Coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of California, grew up in Grass Valley and will always consider Nevada County home. “I couldn’t be more proud of my hometown county,” said Anderson. “It’s been my privilege to help support Nevada County’s journey toward launching Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Much like Dolly who loves her hometown in the mountains, I know this community shares her dream of investing in children’s futures – one story at a time.”
To make the Imagination Library available, The Dollywood Foundation partners with a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and other organizations and individuals in the community who act as Local Program Partners. In California, the Imagination Library is also supported by a 50% State Match, administered through the California State Library. The Nevada City Rotary Club Foundation and First 5 Nevada County would like to recognize several of the local organizations and individuals who helped make this program possible in Nevada County as founding contributors:
- Rotary Club of Nevada City Foundation
- Rotary Club of Nevada City members
- Truckee Rotary Club
- Penn Valley Rotary Club
- B & C Ace Home and Garden Center
- Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
- Lance and Linda Amaral
- Lee & Janice Osborne
- Nevada County Superintendent of Schools
- Other Nevada County residents and community support
- SPD Market
- Volz Bros Automotive
- United Way of Nevada County
If you would like to join them in support of the local Imagination Library program here in Nevada County and help get more books into the hands of more children, please contact Andrea Mason at andreaemason@protonmail.com or visit https://www.nevadacityrotary.org/
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 270 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Program Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five – at no cost to families. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.
The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.