Families enrolling children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon can now choose between the Standard English Book Collection and the new Bilingual English/Spanish Book Collection. They can also select their preferred language for communication during the enrollment process.
In June, families already enrolled in the Imagination Library received an email announcing the new Bilingual English/Spanish book collection option, along with instructions on how to make the switch. Books from the new collection are expected to begin arriving in mailboxes in August.
“Regardless of the language a child knows, the joy of reading should be available for every young learner,” Governor Kotek said. “The expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a bilingual book collection throws the door open to that opportunity much wider. This will help improve our literacy outcomes and make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live or where they come from, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom."
The introduction of the Bilingual Collection has been eagerly anticipated since the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library launched in May of 2024. Thanks to funding from the State of Oregon, through the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and 57 community organizations around the state, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is free for all families with children from birth to age five and available in all counties in Oregon.
“Literacy is not confined to a single language—it is nurtured through the languages children speak at home, the stories they hear, and the books they read with their families,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director. “By offering culturally responsive and bilingual books, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program honors the richness of every child’s linguistic and cultural identity. The addition of a Spanish language book option means more families will have access to stories in the language that connects generations. I’m thrilled knowing that for those who choose this option, bilingual books will soon arrive in their mailbox—opening doors to literacy, learning, and a lifelong love of reading.”
Introducing books to children at an early age not only sets the stage to foster a love of reading, it also prepares them to be successful in school and life. The new bilingual collection will enable the Imagination Library to connect with more children and families across the state, significantly broadening the positive literacy impacts for young Oregonians by helping more children build personal libraries than ever before.
“Every child should grow up with stories that reflect their language, culture, and identity. Multilingual kids have a superpower that we should nurture and celebrate,” emphasized Representative Ben Bowman, Chief Sponsor of the legislation that made the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library in Oregon a reality. “This new bilingual collection shows our state’s commitment to making sure every child has the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.”
The Bilingual Collection was first piloted in California in 2023 and rolled-out to five more states in 2024. Oregon is excited to be among the 16 states added in 2025. States that now have access to the Bilingual Collection include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia. For a full list of the 2025 bilingual book collection visit imaginationlibrary.com/usa/book-list.
The Imagination Library of Oregon is free to families. Children can be registered as early as birth to receive new, high-quality, age-appropriate books addressed to them in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. To learn more or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. For the latest Oregon specific content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Oregon