— Community leaders, educators, and literacy advocates will gather on Wed., June 24 at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of St. Martin Parish. Through a partnership between Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the St. Martin Parish School Board, children from birth to their fifth birthday can receive free, high-quality books delivered directly to their homes each month. The local program is made possible through the support of the St. Martin Parish Library and other community partners committed to expanding access to books and promoting early literacy.
Since launching in May 2026, the program has already enrolled 279 children across St. Martin Parish, representing approximately 8 percent of eligible children parish wide. As a grassroots initiative, the program relies on local support to continue growing and reaching more families. The State of Louisiana provides a dollar-for-dollar match for every child enrolled, doubling the impact of community contributions and helping ensure more children have access to books during their earliest years.
The launch celebration will recognize the community partnerships that made the program possible and highlight how early literacy helps children enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed.
Community leaders hope to continue growing enrollment and securing support to ensure every child under the age of five in St. Martin Parish has the opportunity to build a home library and develop a love of reading.
