Newborns Can Now Be Enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Before Leaving the Hospital

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Hardin County is thrilled to share an exciting new chapter in their mission to inspire a love of reading in the community’s littlest learners. They are making it easier than ever for families to give their baby the best possible start. Thanks to a new partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, families can now enroll their newborns for their free book program before they even leave the hospital.

While in the hospital, families can now register for a free monthly book delivery while filling out their paperwork to receive a birth certificate. By simply checking “yes,” their child will be automatically enrolled and begin receiving one brand-new, high-quality book each month, delivered straight to their home and completely free of charge. Babies born in hospitals in neighboring counties will automatically be registered in the county of residence. Babies who are born at home will also be given an opportunity to register when they visit the county’s health department to complete their paperwork.

This new process removes barriers for families who may not have internet access, transportation, or familiarity with the program, ensuring every child has the same opportunity to build early literacy skills starting from birth. Reading with your baby from day one supports language development, strengthens family bonds, and lays the foundation for future academic success. 

In addition to this new enrollment program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to serve 1,100+ children in Hardin County with innovative options that reach more children.

Currently, all children in Ohio’s foster care are automatically enrolled in the Imagination Library. Plus, their English/Spanish bilingual book collection is helping more families read together. All Ohio children are eligible until their fifth birthday and can be registered by visiting OhioImaginationLibrary.org. 

Before continuing, please check to make sure your child hasn’t already been registered by a parent or caregiver. Duplicate registrations may cause delays in starting the program.

For more information, please contact the Imagination Library of Hardin County at dpilhardin@gmail.com.