United Way of Southeast Mississippi is now accepting applications to register children in Forrest and Lamar counties for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Once registered, your child will receive, by mail, one age-appropriate book each month until age 5 (sign-up form below). Ensuring that children have access to books from the time they are born 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 throughout the country by local organizations. 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 cost for a year's worth of books is an estimated $30 per child. Thanks to donors and sponsorships, funding has been secured to cover this fee for children living in the Hattiesburg Public School District, Forrest County, and Lamar County. If your child is between the age of 0-5, living in Forrest or Lamar counties, please complete the form below. Your child will receive their first book in about two months.
If your child is between the age 0-5, living in Marion or Perry county, they are still able to receive Imagination Library books. Please complete the online application and mail a $30 check to United Way of Southeast Mississippi, P.O. Box 1648, Hattiesburg, MS 39403.
To submit an application for registration, please fill out the form below.
Not sure if your child is in the Hattiesburg Public School District? Click here for HPSD's Street Guide.
Is your child going to be four years old by September 1st? Click below to learn about one of our local Early Learning Collaboratives.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Hattiesburg Public School Foundation
The First
Hancock Whitney
Junior Auxiliary Hattiesburg
Zeon Chemicals
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Alpha Gamma Chapter
Lamar County School District
Ryan Hendley, In Memorium