Carbondale Reporter

Senator Dale Fowler celebrated the commencement of Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library" free book program in Southern Illinois, stating, "launch parties were being held all over the region." He made this announcement in a June 9 Facebook post.

"What a great day for Southern Illinois," said Fowler, Illinois State Senator (R), according to Facebook. "Today, Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library" free book program is officially now available in Southern Illinois! Launch parties were being held all over the region. I was honored to be asked to come to the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 21 Office in Vienna to speak and leave coloring books for those in attendance at the Johnson County event."

In his post, Fowler shared a link to the Read SI webpage, which highlights the affiliate partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. He encouraged parents to visit the website to register their children for the program. Read SI serves Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wayne, Williamson, and White Counties.

Screenshot of Sen. Dale Fowler's July 10 Facebook post | Senator Dale Fowler's Facebook page

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides high-quality books to children from birth to five years old at no cost to their families. The program has been operational since 1995 and has mailed more than one million books to youths worldwide. It distributes books across every U.S. state as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. By 2022, it was mailing two million books each month globally.

In December 2023, the Imagination Library and the State of Illinois announced a statewide expansion of the program. According to an Imagination Library news release, $1.6 million was allocated for the program in the 2024 fiscal year budget. "I am so excited to announce that Illinois is expanding my Imagination Library statewide. Thank you to Governor JB Pritzker and all our local program partners across Illinois who worked so hard to make this dream a reality," said Dolly Parton in a Dec. 5 news release.

Senator Dale Fowler represents the people of the 59th Senate District. Before joining the state senate, he served as mayor of Harrisburg and has been a business development officer for People’s National Bank in Harrisburg since retiring from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice in 2012. His previous political and civic experience includes roles as a city commissioner and Saline County Board member. He also chairs the Midland Institute’s Saline County CEO program focused on educating youths about entrepreneurial opportunities.