Dolly Parton Imagination Library Coming to Central Wisconsin

Friday, September 19th, 2025 -- 8:00 AM

(Desiree Fischer, WSAW) The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is coming to central Wisconsin.

According to Desiree Fischer with WSAW, for 30 years, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has inspired a love of reading around the world by gifting children from birth to five with free, high-quality, age-appropriate books delivered to their home on a monthly basis.

Now, a group of local schools and organizations is working together to bring the program to Marathon County. The group is starting a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $30,000 to successfully launch the program in January of 2026.

They’d like to register 1,000 children in the first year. The concept is simple. Parents or guardians register their child in the DPIL of Marathon County and age-appropriate books are mailed directly to their homes each month.

Registered children begin receiving books at their home addresses about eight to 10 weeks after their forms are received. Bilingual and Braille books are also available.

The first book distributed is always the children’s classic “The Little Engine That Could.” There is no charge to register or receive the books. Registration for DPIL of Marathon County will open soon.

To donate to the DPIL of Marathon County, visit thefoundationwsd.networkforgood.com/projects/254241-marathon-county-dolly-parton-imagination-library or mail a check to WSF-DPIL of Marathon County, 415 Seymour Street, Wausau, WI 54403. Checks should be made out to the Wausau School Foundation and add “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” in the memo line.

People from the Abbotsford School District, Babies Place, Childcaring Inc, D.C. Everest Area School District, Head Start, Healthfirst Network, Marathon County Birth-to-Three Special Education Program, Marathon County Health Department, Marathon County Public Library, Marathon County Literacy Council, Medical College of Wisconsin - Central Wisconsin Campus, and Wausau School Foundation are all working together to launch this program in Marathon County.

To learn more, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Marathon County also has launched a Facebook page.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.