Humboldt’s Imagination Library Program Hits 50,000 Books Mailed

Press release from the Bridgeville Community Center:

Dear Friends and supporters of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Humboldt County,

Thank you, we have reached a milestone of having gifted over 50,000 books to over 2,500 Humboldt County children, which is only possible with the support of the community.

We are pleased to announce that as of June 2026, over 50,000 books have been mailed to children in Humboldt County (51,357 books to be exact).  We have over 1,750 children currently enrolled in the program who receive books on a monthly basis until they turn 5 years old. Imagine the number of dreams that are being created in each child who holds a book in their hands as a parent, family member, or adult reads to them. This is our fourth year

While the books are mailed free of charge to the families, the Bridgeville Community Center has to fundraise for the $25,000 a year in fees that we are charged by the Imagination Library. Every $15 allows a child to get a book a month for a year (12 books total). It comes out to a very reasonable $1.25 per book mailed to the child’s house. A bilingual/Spanish version is also available.

The Bridgeville Community Center as the Humboldt County partner, is responsible for enrolling children into the program and fundraising for the fees and costs that are payable to the Imagination Library. This can only happen with support of the community. We would like to thank the many community organizations and individuals that have already donated to make the book dreams a reality in Humboldt County – they include:  Rotary Clubs, Humboldt Sponsors, McLean Foundation, Friends of Redwood Library, Kiwanis Club, CalRTA, The Rose Perinin Foundation. Wha-Nika Women’s Club, Coast Central Credit Union, Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay, Redwood Bank, the State of California, many gracious individuals, and DKG Pi Chapter – our first Cornerstone Partner.

Local children pose with a Dolly cut-out at an Imagination Library event.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library worldwide program has gifted millions of books to children from birth to age five. Now, a groundbreaking international study reaffirms the program’s powerful impact. In all countries, the program was found to have a significant impact helping early literacy that often persists through school. We have gotten many positive testimonials from the families that receive the books, the most frequent one thanking Dolly for the books, and one “So grateful for you! Our daughter could turn book pages at 9 months, and her first word was ‘book’.”

You can become an Imagination Library Friend by donating to help cover the cost of books to a child, you can mail us a check, or make an on-line donation –

 https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=EHUQSXZHXC8R4