Indiana Michigan Power gave a $5,000 grant to the Allen County Public Library Foundation on October 30, 2025, to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Fort Wayne. This funding helps keep the free book program going for young children and lets it grow to reach more families.

Program Overview and Launch

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library started in 1995 to spark a love for reading in kids from birth to age five. The program mails one free, high quality book each month right to the child’s home. No family pays a dime, and the books match the child’s age to build early skills.

In Allen County, the Allen County Public Library took on this effort in October 2024 after raising $100,000 through community donations. That money covered the first two years of operations. Since then, the program has grown fast as more parents sign up their little ones.

Local leaders praise the setup because it fits right into family routines. Kids get excited for mail from Dolly Parton herself. This simple act turns reading into a fun habit that sticks for life.

Key Impacts in Allen County

The grant comes at a perfect time as the program hits big numbers. Over 8,000 children now get books, with more than 60,000 sent out since the start. Back in August 2025, they celebrated mailing 50,000 books, showing steady growth.

Studies show these books boost home reading time and help kids feel ready for school. In Allen County, parents report stronger bonds during storytime. One mom shared how her toddler now asks for books every night, a change she credits to the monthly deliveries.

This support matters after tough times earlier this year. Indiana faced budget cuts to literacy programs, but community pushback and donations kept things alive. The $5,000 from Indiana Michigan Power fills a gap and ensures no child misses out.

Here are some main benefits of the program based on local feedback:

• Builds early literacy skills through fun, age right stories.
• Encourages parent child reading to create lasting family ties.
• Reaches all kids, no matter family income, for equal chances.
• Sparks imagination and cuts down on screen time at home.

National Reach and Recent Milestones

Dolly Parton’s program has gifted over 264 million books worldwide since it began. In 2024 alone, it sent out 36 million, a big jump from the year before. Just last week, it crossed 300 million books total, a huge win for literacy efforts.

In Indiana, the program serves more than 125,000 young readers. It climbed the state’s child literacy rankings from 19th to 6th in recent years. That success comes from steady funding and partnerships like this one.

Other states face similar funding fights, but Dolly’s team pushes back hard. Her foundation covers half the costs in many places, making local grants like this one even more vital. Experts say programs like this cut future education costs by preparing kids better.

Future Growth and Community Role

The new grant lets the library add more children daily and cover mailing costs. ACPL plans to team up with schools and daycares for wider reach. Executive Director Susan P. Baier said, “We are tremendously grateful for the generous support of Indiana Michigan Power. Every day, we add children to our program, and gifts like this make it possible to continue to grow and serve the children of Allen County.”

Looking ahead, the program ties into bigger trends. With reading scores dropping in many areas, these books offer a fix. Families can sign up easily online or at the library to join.

This story shows how one company’s help can light up young minds. Readers, share your thoughts on early reading programs in the comments below. Did your family use something like this? Pass this article along to help spread the word about great local efforts.