(INDIANAPOLIS) - Every child in Indiana under age five is now eligible to receive a free book each month, after Dolly Parton's Imagination Library expanded statewide to all 92 counties. You can sign up to receive books by clicking this link.
Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun announced the milestone this week, calling it a major step forward for early childhood literacy across the state.
The program mails age-appropriate books each month at no cost to families, serving children from birth through age five.
State officials say the statewide reach is made possible through a partnership involving the Dollywood Foundation, the State of Indiana, the Hoosier HOPE Foundation and local program partners.
Governor Mike Braun credited the first lady's fundraising work after asking her to secure support when the program was left out of last year's state budget.
The program was founded in 1995 and has now delivered more than 270 million books worldwide.
State leaders say the goal is to help children build reading habits and stronger learning foundations before entering school.