Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Louisville sends 500,000th book

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Louisville mailed its 500,000th book to children under 5, celebrating a milestone for the city's literacy program.

The program delivers free monthly books to help young children develop reading skills and prepare for kindergarten. It launched locally in 2017 with 55 children across three ZIP codes and now reaches more than 20,000 children across Jefferson County.

"Virtually every family has at least heard of the program, and we're getting to meet the kids whose lives these books have touched," Maria Gurren, executive director of the Imagination Library of Louisville, said in a news release.

The initiative focuses on neighborhoods with historically lower educational outcomes, which now show some of the highest participation rates, according to board president Laurel Mallory.

Local partners including PNC, the C.E. & S. Foundation and Impact100 help fund the program. To celebrate, the organization will host "Books and Bourbon" at 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience downtown, featuring book-themed activities, prizes and a chance to win a signed photo of Dolly Parton.

More information: Imagination Library Louisville Events

JCPS warns of $2.5 billion in maintenance needs, rising costs amid budget deficit

Louisville pizza restaurant has liquor license suspended after reports of underage drinking

Federal judge denies Brett Hankison's bid to delay reporting to prison in Breonna Taylor case