O’Connor Administration, Reading Ready Pittsburgh and Partners Announce Expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and New “Imagine Free Books for All Children” Campaign

DPIL helps children create their own library of up to 60 books by receiving a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail every month from birth to their fifth birthday. The program is designed to boost kindergarten readiness, foster a lifelong love of reading and give families meaningful ways to explore new worlds together. There are currently 4,200 local children enrolled in the program, or roughly 30% of the 14,000 children under age five living in the city.  

The O’Connor Administration and its partners at Reading Ready Pittsburgh, The Benter Foundation and other local partners and funders have set a new goal to enroll more than 65% of eligible children in Pittsburgh over the next five years.  

“Through this program, we have the opportunity for every kid under age five in the City of Pittsburgh to get a free book in the mail every month, which is investment in the future of our youngest residents,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “Thanks to the ongoing support of Councilman Wilson, our partners and DPIL, we want to more than double enrollment in this program to help families build strong foundations for our children.”  

At the launch of the program expansion today at Phillips Recreation Center in Carrick, Mayor Corey O’Connor was joined by his wife and early literacy advocate Katie O’Connor, Dr. Mary Denison from Reading Ready Pittsburgh, Lauren Wirt from the Dollywood Foundation, Bill Benter of The Benter Foundation and Keya Lowry, a mother of former enrollees and member of the Reading Ready Pittsburgh board, and City Councilman Bobby Wilson. 

“Every child in Pittsburgh deserves a bookshelf full of stories and the chance to grow up knowing the joy of reading,” said Dr. Denison. “Through this expansion of DPIL, we’re building a foundation for a lifetime of learning. We’re proud to have the City of Pittsburgh and Mayor O’Connor’s partnership as we work to fulfill the mission of mailing books to all of Pittsburgh’s young children.” 

The program is completely free for children and there are no household income requirements. Access to books at home is among one of the strongest predictors of academic success, regardless of family income or parental education. Studies conducted by the Dollywood Foundation found that after receiving just 10 books through the Imagination Library, children were at least four times more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy skills. 

“We are pleased to support this invaluable program, and believe that investing in early literacy is one of the most important things we can do for the future of Pittsburgh,” said Bill Benter of The Benter Foundation.  

The Benter Foundation has approved investing $1.8 million over the next five years for the program's expansion. Together, the major partners are working to enlist local funders, corporations and individual donors to support Pittsburgh's youngest readers. The goal is to double the funds already committed to sustain and promote this important program. 

Under the leadership of Reading Ready Pittsburgh and the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, expanded outreach will include various efforts such as a marketing campaign, community partnerships and canvassing to families with children under age five. Enrollment materials will be available at CitiParks locations including pools and recreation centers, City-hosted events and in the Mayor's Office newsletter and social media.  

Families can also register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations throughout the city. Library staff are available to assist with online and paper applications, helping make enrollment easy and accessible for families. 

Families can register their children online at https://www.readingreadypittsburgh.org/dpil.