IN: Governor Says No To Dolly Parton's Book Program

Here at the Institute, we love Dolly Parton's Imagination Library very much. It is one of the best, most effective philanthropic and educational programs in the country. And Governor Mike Braun of Indiana has decided the children of his state can just do without it.

This program started with the simplest idea in the world-- putting books in the homes of small children. It began, once again, in her home county, and her proposal was simple-- sign your newborn child up, and once a month from birth through Kindergarten, the child will receive a book. On the program's website, Parton writes

When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.

The program launched in 1995 in Sevier County (Parton's home), and it grew quickly. By 2006, when the Washington Post wrote about it, the program had spread to 471 communities in 41 states. In 2011 it launched in Scotland, and it can now be found in the UK, Australia, and Canada. In February of 2018, the Imagination Library presented its 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress. There are currently more than 3.1 million children registered under the program, and the foundation has gifted over 270 million books.

Indiana came late to the party, with the Previous Governor Holcomb announcing a statewide expansion in 2023, committing $6 million over two years. Is that a bunch of money? Sure, but it got every child age 0-5 and under a brand new book of their own every single month. And now that budget item stands at $0.00. 

Let me tell you first hand that these books have an impact. The Board of Directors got a book every month, and it was always a point of excitement. The books were well curated, an awesome collection of old classics and modern books, beautiful and diverse (so of course politicians occasionally tried to push the culture panic button). Even the very last book felt like a personal message to the young readers in my house. 

Neither Braun nor the lawmakers who actually drafted the proposed budget have explained their reasoning behind zeroing out the state contribution, nor have they responded to requests for comment. Braun made some noises about "efficiencies" and the budget. Meanwhile, the United Way and other charitable groups may scrape up the money needed.

Braun ran last fall on culture panic and parental rights (for some), along with a call to increase academic standards and prepare students for success. You know what helps with academic success? Exposing children to reading early and often-- so early and often that they think of reading as a natural and normal and desirable part of life.

I am stumped. Dolly Parton and her people say, "Look, we'll carry half the cost and all of the legwork for putting books in the hands of every pre-school kid in your state every month from ages 0-5" and your reaction to that is "No, thanks"??!! Sorry, Indiana-- apparently your leaders are not all that interested in either children or reading. They can pass a snazzy "science of reading" law, but they can't get behind the idea of giving children actual books to read. 

“We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state’s funding match for local Imagination Library programs,“ Parton’s rep said in a statement.

”The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all—regardless of politics—because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed."

The arrival of those books each month, addressed directly to the child, delivers two messages to that child-- reading is important, and you are important. Indiana's governor and lawmakers would apparently like to deliver another message entirely.