Oregon's First Lady Hosts Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Read Aloud At Warrenton Community Library (Photo) - 08/29/25

Warrenton, OR – The Warrenton Community Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Oregon welcomed Oregon's First Lady for an inspiring community reading event celebrating early childhood literacy on August 26, 2025. Families gathered for an engaging morning of storytelling as the First Lady read The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld with young listeners at the coastal library.

"There's something truly special about gathering with families to share stories, and I'm delighted to be here in Warrenton celebrating the power of reading together,” said First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “Programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library remind us that when we put books directly into children's hands, we're giving them keys to unlock their potential."

The Imagination Library program delivers carefully selected, age-appropriate books at no cost to enrolled children from birth to age five, and now reaches families in every Oregon county and zip code. The Northwest Early Learning Hub & Columbia Pacific CCO has been instrumental in connecting local coastal families with this transformative literacy resource. The morning included an interactive story session led by the First Lady, a special craft project, along with opportunities for families to learn about enrolling their children in the complimentary book program at the Warrenton Community Library.

"Having the First Lady visit our small coastal community means the world to our families," said Joshua Saranpaa, Library Director at Warrenton Community Library. “We've seen children who receive these monthly books become even more excited about visiting the library, finding new books, and asking for stories.”

“Partnering with the Imagination Library has been such a gift for the community,” shared Racheal Parker the Program Specialist with the NW Parenting and NW Early Learning Hub. “It’s sparking a love of reading and bringing books into the homes and hearts of families all across Clatsop County.” 

"Events like today's reading celebration show the incredible ripple effect that happens when communities embrace early literacy," noted Kaylee Chrystal, Community Engagement Coordinator for Imagination Library of Oregon. "The Imagination Library doesn't just deliver books—it creates lasting bonds between children, families, and their local communities. We're grateful for the First Lady's enthusiasm, the leadership of our Local Program Partner, NW Early Learning Hub, and supporting organizations like the Warrenton Community Library in making sure every child along Oregon's coast has access to quality books from birth."

The program currently serves more than 69,000 Oregon children—representing approximately 32% of the state's children under five years old—who receive monthly book deliveries through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Families pay nothing for participation, with program expenses supported through collaborative funding from local community partners, The Dollywood Foundation, and the State of Oregon via the Department of Early Learning and Care.

To learn more or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. For the latest Oregon specific content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

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About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 280 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community Partners.  The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families.  Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be More(™).

The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.