On Saturday, Oct. 3, the United Way of West Alabama’s Success By 6 program will host a celebration at the Tuscaloosa Public Library on Warner Parkway to recognize a major milestone: the distribution of one million free books to children in West Alabama through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Local impact of a national reading program
Since its launch in Alabama in 2004, the Imagination Library has delivered more than 5.4 million books statewide. Today, 36 percent of Alabama’s children under age five are enrolled, and in the nine‑county region that includes Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa, over 8,700 children receive a new age‑appropriate book each month until they turn five.
“What was already going to be an incredibly special day for West Alabama now means more than we could ever imagine,” said Jackie Wuska, president of the United Way of West Alabama. “Dolly believed that something as simple as putting a book in the hands of a child could change that child’s life. Here in West Alabama, we have one million reminders that she was right.”
Celebrating families, donors and partners
The October event will honor the families, donors, community partners and volunteers who have helped make the program possible. Cheryl Fondren, executive director of the United Way’s Success By 6 program, noted that the library’s presence is especially vital in Alabama’s rural Black Belt counties, where early‑grade reading challenges have historically been high.
In accordance with Dolly Parton’s wishes after her passing, attendees are encouraged to support the program by donating directly to the Imagination Library. Those interested in enrolling a child can do so through the program’s website.
Why the milestone matters
Reading is a foundational skill that supports lifelong learning and economic opportunity. By providing a free book each month, the Imagination Library helps families build a home library, fosters a love of reading, and gives children a head start before they enter school. The one‑million‑book milestone underscores the program’s reach in West Alabama and highlights the collaborative effort of local nonprofits, schools and faith‑based groups.
Community leaders see the celebration as a testament to the power of private‑public partnership and a reminder that investing in children’s education aligns with the values of strong families and personal responsibility.
How to get involved
Residents who wish to support the Imagination Library can donate via the program’s website or contact the United Way of West Alabama. Parents interested in enrolling their child can also register online, ensuring a steady supply of books that promote literacy and family bonding.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
