Indiana Expands Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Statewide

First Lady Maureen Braun leads successful fundraising effort after state budget cuts

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:05pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a young child reading a book while cuddled on a couch, the image softly blurred and washed in warm, hazy tones that evoke the joy and comfort of reading together.A heartwarming scene of early childhood literacy fostered by the Imagination Library program's expansion across Indiana.Gary Today

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that provides a free book every month to children from birth to age 5, is now available in all 92 counties in Indiana. This expansion was made possible through a fundraising campaign led by First Lady Maureen Braun after the state legislature cut $6 million in funding for the program.

Why it matters

The Imagination Library program aims to foster early childhood literacy and create meaningful family memories. This statewide expansion in Indiana ensures more Hoosier kids have access to free books and the opportunity to develop a love of reading from a young age.

The details

After the Indiana legislature cut $6 million in state funding for the Imagination Library program, First Lady Maureen Braun led a successful fundraising effort to restore and expand the program to all 92 counties in the state. The program now serves around 125,000 children across Indiana.

  • The state legislature cut $6 million in funding for the Imagination Library program last year.
  • Maureen Braun launched a fundraising campaign to restore and expand the program in 2025.
  • As of April 2026, the Imagination Library is now available in all 92 Indiana counties.

The players

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

A program that provides a free book every month to children from birth to age 5 to foster early childhood literacy.

Maureen Braun

The First Lady of Indiana who led a successful fundraising campaign to expand the Imagination Library program statewide after the state legislature cut funding.

Mike Braun

The Governor of Indiana who signed the state budget that cut $6 million in funding for the Imagination Library program.

Hoosier HOPE Foundation

A local partner organization that collaborated with the Imagination Library program to expand its reach in Indiana.

Lake County Public Library

A library system in Indiana that allows parents to sign up their children to receive free books through the Imagination Library program.

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What they’re saying

“Receiving books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library fosters a love of reading and creates meaningful family memories to last a lifetime. Early childhood literacy has a profound impact on Hoosier kids as they grow, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Indiana is helping to build strong foundations for young Hoosiers.”

— Maureen Braun, First Lady of Indiana

What’s next

The Imagination Library program in Indiana will continue to seek additional funding and partnerships to sustain and potentially expand the program further in the coming years.

The takeaway

This statewide expansion of the Imagination Library in Indiana demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships and community-driven initiatives to promote early childhood literacy, even in the face of budget cuts. The program's success highlights the lasting impact that access to free books can have on young children and their families.