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November 11, 2026

Free Books Every Month: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Officially Launches in Murray

dolly parton reading books to kids

Every child in Murray from birth to age five can now receive a free, age-appropriate book delivered directly to their mailbox every single month—at zero cost to families.

Spearheaded by the Murray Education Foundation (MEF) in partnership with statewide administrative partner Operation Literacy, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library officially opened registration for Murray families on November 10. As educators across Utah work to reverse recent literacy declines, this initiative places high-quality books directly into young hands during the most critical years of early brain development and kindergarten preparation.

The urgency is backed by clear data: nearly 80% of brain growth occurs by age three, yet recent state literacy reports show that nearly 44% of Utah children enter kindergarten already behind grade-level reading benchmarks. Fortunately, the largest international study ever conducted on shared reading—surveying more than 86,000 families—confirms that receiving just 10 Imagination Library books makes children 4 times more likely to demonstrate stronger emerging literacy and vocabulary skills and 9 times more likely to be read to four or more days a week. In the U.S. specifically, enrolled children are 15 times more likely to actively participate in shared reading, turning simple bedtime routines into lasting kindergarten readiness.

How It Works & Who Is Eligible

  • Zero Cost to Families: Enrollment is 100% free ($0), fully funded through the Murray Education Foundation and community support.

  • Eligibility: Any child from birth to age 5 residing within Murray City zip codes is eligible to participate, regardless of household income.

  • East-Side Murray Coverage: Because East Murray spans both Murray City School District and Granite School District boundaries, all Murray City zip codes are included. Registrations on the east side are open strictly to Murray residents, regardless of which school district boundary they live within.

  • Sign Up Today: Families can register online immediately at Imagination Library Registration.

"Putting a high-quality book into a child's home every month builds early vocabulary, strengthens family reading routines, and ensures Murray's youngest learners enter kindergarten ready to thrive."

Meet Us in the Community & Register in Person

Foundation representatives are hosting outreach at Murray’s Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and Spartan Station preschool, as well as several upcoming local events to help families sign up on the spot:

  • Monday, November 23, 2026: Murray City Christmas Tree Lighting

  • Monday, December 7, 2026: Story Time at the Murray Library (7:00 PM)

  • Tuesday, December 8, 2026: Story Time (10:00 AM) & Wiggle Worms (11:00 AM) at the Murray Library

  • Wednesday, December 9, 2026: Story Time (10:00 AM) & Wiggle Worms (11:00 AM) at the Murray Library

  • Thursday, December 10, 2026: Story Time at the Murray Museum (10:00 AM)

  • Saturday, December 12, 2026: Holiday Elf Workshop at the Park Center (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

A Community-Wide Investment in Early Literacy

Roughly 1,800 children ages 0–5 live within Murray's primary zip codes, and MEF aims to reach at least 65% of eligible children—nearly 1,170 young readers. To measure long-term impact, Murray City School District will track kindergarten readiness using KEEP (Kindergarten Entry and Exit Profile) literacy assessment data.

The rollout is backed by strong local and statewide collaboration:

  • Local Onboarding: Intermountain Health is partnering to distribute registration materials directly during pediatric well-child visits.

  • Sustainable Funding: While MEF committed to initial seed funding to launch enrollment immediately, the Foundation will kick off a community fundraising campaign on January 19, 2027—Dolly Parton’s birthday. Watch for more about that in January!

  • Looking Ahead: It costs $33.20 per child per year to provide monthly books. Statewide advocates—including the Miller Family Foundation, Andrus Foundation, and The Policy Project—are working with state lawmakers and others to secure ongoing funding. Organizers are hoping these efforts will cut MEF's net cost nearly in half to roughly $17.60 per child and help sustain the program for every Murray child for years to come.

If you have questions or would like to sponsor this program, either one child or more, contact Doug Perry at 801-264-7400.