In the News

  • A woman reading to two children in a library, one sitting in her lap and the other sitting on the floor.

    Rochester Chapter of National Program Helping Improve Literacy in children

    “Every month we get a book in the mail and it helps Christian with his speech, reading and sounding out words.”

  • Connections with Evan Dawson and Imagination Library

    How Rochester's Imagination Library is Helping Improve Literacy Rates Among Some of the City's Youngest Kids

    Evan Dawson devotes a full hour to a roundtable discussion about the impact of the Rochester Imagination Library.

  • Logo of 13 ABC WHAM news channel with blue circular background and white text.

    Mayor Evans Delivers 25,000th Free Book Given Out by the Rochester Imagination Library

    “If you live in a low income area there is about a 60% chance that you don’t have any books at home that are for children, so we want to close that gap.”

  • WXXI News logo with white and yellow text on a dark blue background.

    Rochester's Imagination Library Marks a Big Milestone

    "I definitely want to ensure that she has a leg up and understands what words are and what they mean. That is my goal. I understand firmly that, currently, I am programming my child."

  • "The Rochester Imagination Library will receive $10,000 in funding for a citywide marketing plan to educate the community about Imagination Library’s free literacy programs and how families can enroll a child. "

    Two Rochester-based child literacy initiatives awarded state funds

    “The Rochester Imagination Library will receive $10,000 in funding for a citywide marketing plan to educate the community about Imagination Library’s free literacy programs and how families can enroll a child. “

  • Logo of Democrat & Chronicle, part of USA Today Network, featuring large initials D and C in navy blue with a blue circle containing an ampersand, and the publication name to the right with the tagline below.

    Free Books for Young Kids: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Expands Throughout Rochester

    “"She gets to open her own piece of mail, so she loves that. It's that excitement of getting a new book.”

  • WXXI logo

    Dolly Parton's Imagination Library expands, sends free books to Rochester kids citywide

    "With this, we get new books and they’re able to experience new stories better than if the program wasn’t available in our area. It’s broadening their vocabulary and their learning.”

  • WHAM-13 logo

    More than 300 Children Signed Up for Rochester Imagination Library

    “I can already see it in my patients. I asked a parent recently, are they getting their books? And they said, ‘Oh yeah, they walk around with them in the crook of their arm!’”

  • Graphic with yellow and white lightbulb illustrations on a teal background, displaying the text 'Thriving Forward' and a slogan 'Helping families. Building communities.'

    Thriving Forward: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Rochester

    Local pediatrician and advocate Dr. Sarah Collins-McGowan interviews us about the nuts and bolts of the Imagination Library’s impact on kindergarten readiness.

  • Charting Pediatrics Logo

    Building Kindergarten Readiness Through the Imagination Library

    Listen to our half-hour interview with Charting Pediatrics, a podcast that’s been downloaded in more than 180 countries.

  • Logo for WXXI News with white and yellow text on a dark background.

    REF Brings International Literacy Program to Rochester

    WXXI spreads the word on our pilot launch and the impact we’ve already had on children and families.