Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was brought to life in Fresno County on Feb. 20 after three months of fundraising.

The Imagination Library, founded by country music star Dolly Parton, gifts children ages zero to five a free book each month. The library does not have a physical location, but instead mails books. The Imagination Library works with local schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to help distribute the books.

Fundraisers, like the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Councilmember Tyler Maxwell and Valley Children’s Healthcare, all contributed to the goal of raising $400,000 for the Imagination Library.

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful program that parents in Fresno County should take advantage of,” said Taylor Souza, a mother of two girls, ages two and four.

Souza is one of many parents who signed up for the program. Starting in April, her children will receive a free book each month until they turn six.

In 1995, Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in Tennessee, striving to help children pursue a love of reading. Since then, there have been approximately 3.2 million children registered to receive a book each month and around 270 million books distributed.

According to the Fresno County Office of Education, only 14% of elementary school students scored at a readingproficient level of proficientreading or higher. The implementation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Fresno is aimed at helping elementary school students reach their reading level goals.

“Reading to young children is extremely important for their language, cognitive development and emotional development,” Souza said. “Being a part of Dolly’s program is an easy way to positively affect a child’s future.”