Residence Life Sponsors Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

ONU’s Office of Residence Life is now an official sponsor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Hardin County.

The Office of Residence Life selected Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Hardin County as its philanthropy and last year raised $3,000 in donations for the organization. The program is a readership/literacy program for children from birth until age 5.

Justin Courtney, director of residence life and interim director of career services, has worked with the Imagination Library Board, which consists of all county libraries, the YMCA and Rotary, and has obtained the opportunity for the Office of Residence Life at ONU to become an official sponsor.  

As an official sponsor, the Office of Residence Life and ONU will be recognized on the local organization’s letterhead, press releases and printed materials.  

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library began in 1996 and is now an international program providing age-appropriate books to preschool children. The program mails a brand new, age appropriate book each month to children under 5 enrolled in the program.

Participating communities make the program accessible to all preschool children in their area. The community pays for the books and mailing, promotes the program, registers the children, and enters the information into the database.

Dolly Patron’s  Dollywood Foundation manages the system to deliver the books to the home.