Interest in Imagination Library of Will County Surges
The Imagination Library of Will County has seen a significant rise in interest following the death of Dolly Parton, the founder of the national program. Over 730 parents have enrolled their children since Parton passed away on Tuesday, August 25. Parton established the Imagination Library in 1995 to foster a love of reading and learning among young children.
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant launched the local initiative in July 2025, in collaboration with the Will County Economic Development Foundation. She discovered the program during a conference in Nashville as a state senator and subsequently introduced it to the county. Parton’s announcement in December 2023 regarding the expansion of her book gifting program in Illinois was supported by a $1.6 million allocation in the fiscal year 2024 budget from Gov. JB Pritzker.
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant expressed her eagerness to participate in the initiative through an email statement, highlighting her personal love for reading and the documented emotional, social, and academic benefits of reading to children at an early age.
In the past year, approximately 8,800 children in Will County have received monthly books through the local Imagination Library. About 1,100 of these children graduated upon turning five, receiving their final book and a letter from Parton. Currently, around 7,720 children are actively enrolled in the program, with an additional 736 new registrations in the past week according to Mike Theodore, a spokesman for the county executive’s office.
The surge in interest has led to high traffic and delays on the Dollywood Foundation’s online registration system. Typically, 100 to 130 new children register each month, Theodore noted. Will County currently leads Illinois in enrollments through its involvement with the Imagination Library.
The passing of Parton has prompted a rise in inquiries about financial contributions to the Imagination Library. Individual sponsorships are available online at WillCountyImaginationLibrary.org. Donations begin at $16, sponsoring one child for a year, or $160, which covers 10 children.
Corporate and nonprofit sponsorships play a critical role in supporting the program. Notable contributions include a $50,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Joliet last June. Jackson Generation donated $25,000 in May 2025 and pledged another $25,000. The local Rotary Club and Amazon contributed $50,000 and $30,000 the previous year, respectively. A fundraiser celebrating Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday successfully sponsored 875 Will County children for a year.
The Dollywood Foundation’s committee selects the monthly books based on criteria aimed to enhance early childhood education. Research indicates a 29% increase in kindergarten readiness among Imagination Library participants.