Rochester Imagination Library
We mail free new books to more than 4,000 young kids across the City of Rochester each month! But don’t take our word for it.
Every month, the Rochester chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a free new children's book to the homes of more than 3,000 babies and young children throughout the City of Rochester. The books, which are developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant, come addressed directly to the child. Any child under five who lives within city limits is eligible and can sign up right now on
03/13/2026
More than one in every three young kids in the City of Rochester gets a brand new book in the mail every month.
Sign up now at RochesterImaginationLibrary.org!
02/28/2026
If you have some free time tomorrow, check out our good friend MISS SWEET POTATO PIE & The SOULFOODBABIES as they put on their annual Books and Brilliance Kids Fashion Show at the Memorial Art Gallery. Kids dress up as their favorite book characters and strut their stuff.
Details and tickets available here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/books-brilliance-kids-fashion-show-literacy-through-fashion-tickets-1980975410780?fbclid=IwY2xjawQP_3dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFETUlya1NkN0hua3M3bk9tc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHs6x2rJGeiL82r2izdAlTlkyVQ3Hq9ZIf46zZ1b8s5SJcUSXedK6OpUJpkxu_aem_m-WhWkZ91osYro3h0vG3nQ
It’s bigger than a fashion show.
It’s literacy. It’s confidence. It’s representation.
Pull up and support the next generation at 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 & 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙙𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 ( Memorial Art Gallery on March 1st @ 3:00). Let’s show them the village is watching and cheering them on. 📚📚📚 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/books-brilliance-kids-fashion-show-literacy-through-fashion-tickets-1980975410780
02/25/2026
Hooray and Happy Dolly Day! Thank you, Senator Jeremy Cooney, for your outstanding years-long commitment and leadership to making New York an Imagination Library state. We couldn't ask for a better friend or champion. Happy Dolly Day to all!
Tomorrow I'm hosting ‘Dolly Day’ as we celebrate Dolly Parton's 80th birthday and push to expand the Imagination Library program statewide. Come sign her birthday card and stand with us as we work to expand access to early literacy for every child.
We'll be in the Legislative Office Building tomorrow, if you're in Albany come stop by!💖🎂🎈📚
01/19/2026
See you tonight at Jack's Extra Fancy!
01/17/2026
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This Monday, 1/19, happens to be both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday .
The Rochester Imagination Library will be with our friends at Jack's Extra Fancy, celebrating Dr. King’s legacy and commemorating the Book Lady’s 9th decade.
Jack's will be donating a portion of proceeds from each sale to our cause: putting books in the hands of our city’s youngest scholars.
Bring anyone who loves kids, books, or equity to make sure we can keep on sending high-quality books to thousands of kids across our city each month.
12/23/2025
Stay warm, avoid the crowds, win the holidays:
RochesterImaginationLibrary.org/donate
12/17/2025
Last week's 100,000th book celebration at The Little Theatre was a joy. Thanks to everyone who came out, including Dolly Parton (in two-dimensional form). 9 to 5 is a wild ride!
12/15/2025
We're so honored to be the Rochester area recipient of Canandaigua National Bank's inaugural Community Vitality Award, which honors high-impact nonprofits in our community.
The extraordinarily generous award includes a $10,000 grant, which we'll immediately put to use to send out more than 4,000 new books.
It means even more to know that awardees were selected by CNB employees, including our longstanding friend Ginny Ryan.
Thank you, Canandaigua National Bank!
12/10/2025
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!
100,000th book celebration with Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 at The Little Theatre!
Doors open at 6:30, remarks at 7, movie at 7:15.
Get your tickets at the door or buy 'em online at thelittle.org/9to5
12/09/2025
24 hours till we celebrate #100,000books! See you there!
Tix here: https://thelittle.org/9to5/
12/07/2025
Golisano Children's Hospital has been an absolute linchpin in our efforts to get high-quality books into the hands of thousands of families across Rochester.
Nothing feels better than getting an envelope with dozens of sign-up forms filled out during hospitalizations and clinic visits. Thanks for repping our 100,000th book celebration and this Wednesday's event (https://thelittle.org/9to5/)!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Contact the organization
Address
250 Mill Street Suite 400
Rochester, NY
14614