Our Program

Eligibility

Any baby born on or after September 1, 2006, and living in Hillsborough County.

Support

A $30 donation provides a child one book a month for a year. A $150 donation supports a child for five years, a total of 60 books. All donations are welcome.

Registration

Due to decreased revenues and a commitment to ensure program benefits for families currently enrolled, the Imagination Library of Hillsborough County Partnership has temporarily suspended new enrollments. After May 1, 2009, registration forms that are received through the mail, phone or email will be placed on a waiting list.

Families on the waiting list will receive other program benefits including the program’s electronic newsletter providing families with early literacy tips, invitations to free family early literacy workshops, and information on services provided by their local public library, early learning coalitions, and VPK providers. Eligible families will be added into the program as funds are received.

Program History

Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library program in her childhood town of Sevier County, Tennessee in 1996. Through the Tennessee-based Dollywood Foundation, Imagination Library has been replicated throughout the world.

Hillsborough County’s program is a joint initiative administered by a Partnership. On December 21, 2005 the Imagination Library Task Force formed with various County agencies and community organizations. In October 2006 the pilot program was implemented with six select zip codes, and the following October, the Partnership expanded the program countywide. As of May 2009, there were 11,315 children enrolled in the program.

Imagination Library Hillsborough County Partnership

Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
Healthy Start Coalition
Hillsborough County Department of Children’s Services
Hillsborough County Head Start/Early Head Start
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Libraries
United States Portal Services - Tampa
United Way of Tampa Bay