(3-28-24) Promoting Literacy among our children is imperative to the development of a child’s brain, even at a young age. Science has shown that a child’s brain is 80% developed by 3 years of age. This is the mission for Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio and our newest member to the Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, the Mercer County Imagination Library. Simply put, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children. We partner with local communities to provide one free, high-quality book each month to our children from birth to age five.”


Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book-gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, monthly – no matter their family’s income. Parents and Grandparents can enroll the child(ren) or grandchild(ern) by simply going to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio’s website and fill-out the short Enrollment Form.


The Imagination Library of Mercer County was established August 8, 2020. With the strong support of local libraries and other organizations within the county, the program currently has 2015 children enrolled in the program. This is a 63% enrollment rate of eligible children in our county and with an enthusiastic promotional campaign under way, this percentage is expected to climb.


The Mercer County Imagination Library and Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio are non-profit organizations. To ensure the program can maintain a healthy life here in Celina and Mercer County, donations can be made to the Mercer County Civic Foundation, C/O Mercer County Imagination Library. Each donation is greatly appreciated and every dollar so generously given stays in Mercer County.