Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

United Way of Acadiana has been an essential champion in bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Acadiana, starting in 2008 and gifting nearly 900,000 books over the years to help children in five parishes build home libraries and a love of reading.  

Along with the Imagination Library, we’re now taking the next step to reach even more families. United Way of Acadiana is transitioning from day-to-day program administration to a championship partner, allowing new local organizations to step into operational roles while UWA continues to invest, amplify awareness, and rally the community behind early literacy. 

This shift strengthens and expands the Imagination Library’s impact across Acadiana. With our ongoing financial support, workplace giving, and community outreach – and with additional capacity from new local partners – we can dramatically increase enrollment and get books into the homes of many more children from birth to age five. We will remain a proud partner agency, continuing to designate and steward funds for the program and celebrate community milestones as enrollment grows. 

We invite community organizations, libraries, school systems, healthcare partners, civic groups, and other supporters to join this effort. By combining our continued commitment with new operational partners and champions in each parish, we can open the door to more books, more families, and stronger readers – building on our legacy and accelerating the next chapter of early literacy in Acadiana. 

For any families who are already enrolled and receiving books from the Imagination Library, please rest assured that there will be no changes to your subscription. You will continue to receive books directly to your home on the same schedule with no interruption! 

Until Imagination Library is fully transitioned to a new partner to manage day-to-day program administration, families are encouraged to sign up for updates through the Imagination Library.