Reading Ready Pittsburgh Looking to Expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Participation

Reading Ready Pittsburgh is looking to expand participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), a book-gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, in the region.

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The program sends the free, age-appropriate books to children who live in the city as well as those living in 20 additional ZIP codes.

Each DPIL subscription begins with a copy of the classic children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. There are no household income requirements to take part in the program, and enrollment only takes a few minutes.

Those interested in taking part in the program can check eligibility and register online on Reading Ready Pittsburgh’s website.

“This is a great program,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor in an Instagram post about DPIL. “Reading is very important, especially at a very young age - and we want to provide free books to as many kids across the city as we possibly can. It’s very simple to sign up. I just did it in a couple of minutes.”

Caregivers interested in enrolling their child in the program should:

• Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by the authorized adult.

• Notify Reading Ready Pittsburgh any time your address changes.

• Read the book selections with your child.

Books will begin arriving about eight to 10 weeks after the registration form has been received. Households will continue to receive one book per month until the registered child turns age 5.