CARTERVILLE, Ill. — Read SI, the regional affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, reports that it has experienced unprecedented enrollment growth, creating an urgent need for additional funding to sustain its mission of providing free, high-quality books to children. The cost for the program’s first year was almost double the initial projection, underscoring the critical importance of community support in ensuring that no child is left behind.
To date, just under 9,000 children from southern Illinois have received 65,673 books. The total program cost to date is $76,979. This success has been made possible by the generosity of small businesses, organizations, corporations, foundations, financial institutions, and individual donors. Ongoing fundraising has been challenging across the region.
In fact, due to low donation levels, Randolph and Franklin Counties, face the possibility of pausing new enrollments as soon as next month. The long-term future of the program in all 18 counties can only be sustained with sufficient community support. To date, Read SI volunteers have reached just slightly over 30% of their $120,000 fundraising goal.
“This program is a lifeline for early literacy, and the overwhelming response from families shows just how vital it is,” said Lori Longueville, Read SI representative. “But we need the community’s help to keep it going. Every dollar raised directly impacts a child’s future by fostering a love of reading and learning.”
Read SI is taking the opportunity to celebrate September 5 as the Imagination Library’s official “9 to 5 Day” by launching a new partnership with school districts and early learning programs to help with their fundraising efforts. School districts and early learning programs that provide a designated level of support to the program will be designated as official Read SI Early Literacy Champions, with recognition on the collaboration’s website and promotional materials. Parents already look to community schools for their educational leadership. It makes sense to also see them taking the lead in promoting early literacy and school readiness in their districts. These partnerships will help ensure the children in their communities have access to books that spark curiosity and build foundational skills for lifelong success. Districts in Jackson, Johnson, and Williamson County have already stepped up to pledge their support.
The Imagination Library has been a beacon of hope for families since its launch in 1995, delivering millions of books to children worldwide. With enrollment at an all-time high, the program’s impact has never been greater, increasing the need for more financial support.
Community members, businesses, organizations, and individuals are also encouraged to contribute to this vital cause. Donations can be made at www.readsi.org. New donation/ recognition levels have been created for the 2026 campaign. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to dream big and achieve their potential through the power of books.
Every donation helps, regardless of its size. The cost to sponsor a child for one year is only $16. Recurring donations are a great option for those who want to make an even better impact . By making a recurring donation of $16 every month, you can help 12 children receive a new book in the mail each month for a year. Donating is easy and can be done online at www.readsi.org
One hundred percent of the funds donated go towards the cost of providing books to the children enrolled.
For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, contact one of the following Read SI Conveners:
Byram Fager, Southern Illinois Community Foundation, 618) 997-3700
Lori Longueville, Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families, 618-924-0504
Andrea Borum, Walker Borum Foundation, aandreaborum11@gmail.com
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a global initiative dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free books to children from birth to age five. Since its inception, the program has delivered over 284 million books to children worldwide, fostering early literacy and a lifelong love of learning.