The best time for children to begin learning is before they enter the classroom. With 90 percent of brain development occurring in the first five years of life, early learning becomes an important step to encourage future success.

One of the best ways to practice early education is reading, but access to books is not always easy. Arika Marlatt, a Rush County resident and head of First5, Rush County’s Learning Coalition, discovered a solution that strives to give all children under age five the opportunity to read. The solution is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The iconic musician, singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist started Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995. Since its inception, the program has given over 200 million books to over 3 million children across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and Republic of Ireland. Parton’s award-winning program delivers one book to each child monthly to the homes of participating families for free, which gives many children the opportunity to learn and love reading.

“I love books, and I just thought what a great opportunity — especially because books are expensive. I know that not everybody can afford a five to $15 book, but now, families can get one in the mail every month for free,” said Marlatt.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends a new age-appropriate book each month until the child reaches age five. The variety of books are selected to help children learn and enjoy reading. Two books a year are even bilingual with both English and Spanish text. Upon request, children can receive books written in English or Spanish.

Reading with young children helps children grasp, understand and use new words, broadening literacy, language and even social skills. Children who get a head start in early learning are often more prepared to read, which allows them to perform well in school. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and its approach to literary access can even break generational poverty. Reading books as small as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “The Cat in the Hat” can be influential and indicative of a child’s academic and economic stability.

In October 2023, Marlatt, through First5 and the support of RCCF as the local champion and funding sponsor, established Rush County’s involvement in Parton’s program with the help of gracious donors and supporters, who recognized the benefits of this program. Donors Jay and Christie (Kile) Love were moved to support Rush County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library because of Christie’s mother, the late Wilma Jo Kile’s legacy and passion for education. Each book delivered in Rush County is attributed to the people and organizations that believe in early education and literacy.

Excited by the program’s prospective impact, Marlatt and supporters secured the required funding in just two months. Almost immediately after the program’s establishment in Rush County, the community pounced on the opportunity. Around 200 children in Rush County were registered in just four days. Today, over 400 Rush County children are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Because of Rush County’s participation in the program, 595 children have received access to literacy, and 9,294 books have been delivered across the community. (Last updated 10/5/2025.)

“I am very passionate about this… I had always hoped that Rush County would get it. And seeing how excited the community was, the fact that we had 200 signups in four days, who would have thought people in Rush County would be that excited about it?” Marlatt said.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has generated buzz through the community in its first 18 months, and the estimated impact that this program will have for all young children across the community is astounding.

“It’s for everybody under the age of 5 in our community. It doesn’t matter what your income level is or what part of the county you live in. Our goal is to get every child under the age of 5 in Rush County registered to receive a free book in the mail each month!” Marlatt exclaimed.

Enroll your little ones in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Rush County.