A 2025 study by Dr. Claire Galea found that children enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library were eleven times more likely to be interested in books compared to children not in the program. With this, participants were four times more likely to demonstrate foundational literacy skills such as vocabulary and phonological awareness.
The Imagination Library’s impact is already evident across Allegany County. In 2025 alone, Ardent Solutions enrolled 1,578 children — representing 65 percent of all eligible children in the county — and mailed 14,967 books to families across every Allegany County ZIP code.
“For the importance of early literacy, the fact that we are able to get books into kid’s hands wherever they are in Allegany County is such a monumental achievement for this county,” Miller said. “Literacy is such an important skill that we are able to help provide.”
Ardent Solutions provides supplemental learning materials to families enrolled in the DPIL through monthly email newsletters. Each newsletter includes read-along videos and activities tied directly to the child’s latest DPIL book, giving families more ways to engage with the story and extend learning beyond the page.
“We could not continue this program without a matching fund,” Miller said. “The DPIL is the most expensive program we have here, but it’s worth every penny. Early literacy skills are the most important building blocks for everything that these children will do for the rest of their lives.”
To register your child for Ardent Solution’s Imagination Library Program, visit ardentnetwork.org. There are no income requirements or financial qualifications to join. The books are free to all registered families residing in Allegany County, New York ZIP codes.
