United Way of Southeast Mississippi administers this program in Forrest, Lamar, and Marion counties. Once registered, your child will receive one age-appropriate book by mail each month until age 5. Ensuring children have access to books from birth helps United Way reach its goal of improving early childhood education and kindergarten readiness for children in our community.
About Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a national program hosted by local organizations across the country. Dolly Parton started this book-gifting program in 1995, originally in her home county in East Tennessee, after being inspired by her own father’s inability to read and write.
How It Works
The estimated cost for a year's worth of books is $31 per child. Thanks to donors and sponsorships, we've secured funding to cover this fee for children in Columbia School District, Hattiesburg Public School District, Forrest County School District, Lamar County School District, and Marion County School District. The Petal Education Foundation funds children in Petal School District. If your child is between the ages of 0-5 and lives in Forrest, Lamar, or Marion counties, please register here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
Your child will receive their first book in about two months.
Will your child be four years old by September 1st? Click below to learn about one of our local Early Learning Collaboratives.
- Hattiesburg Early Learning Collaborative
- Lamar County Early Learning Collaborative
- Marion County and Columbia Early Learning Collaborative
- Petal Early Learning Collaborative
Thank you to our sponsors!
BankPlus
Citizens Bank
First Southern Bank
Forrest County Board of Supervisors
Hattiesburg Public Schools
Idaho Forest Group
Junior Auxiliary of Hattiesburg
Lamar County School District
Mapp Family Foundation
Marion County and Columbia Early Learning Collaborative
Marion County Board of Supervisors
Southern Securities Group, LLC
Steven B. Achelis Foundation
Weyerhaeuser