Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will end in Muskegon County, Michigan, after more than 11 years due to a funding shortfall. (Photo: Facebook)
United Way of the Lakeshore has announced that it will discontinue the initiative, with the final book mailing scheduled for December 2026. The decision comes after the nonprofit struggled to secure sustainable funding to meet the programme’s annual operating costs of approximately $180,000. The Imagination Library initiative was launched in Muskegon County in 2015, initially covering just two communities. Over the years, it expanded into a county-wide programme, distributing more than 537,000 books to local children at no cost to their families.
In a statement cited by mLive, United Way of the Lakeshore said reductions in state and local funding had created a financial shortfall that the organisation could no longer cover. “We share the sadness and disappointment that so many families are feeling, but we are also incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built together,” Tyler said. The smaller population and different financial requirements there make it possible to sustain the initiative with the available resources, according to United Way of the Lakeshore.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a popular children’s literacy programme that has provided free books to thousands of families, is set to end in Muskegon County, Michigan, after more than a decade. Despite exploring several funding alternatives, it was unable to identify a sustainable way to continue the programme. Lisa Tyler, president and CEO of United Way of the Lakeshore, acknowledged the disappointment the decision would bring to families while highlighting the initiative’s achievements over the years. it will continue operating in neighbouring Oceana County While the programme will end in Muskegon County.
There is also a possibility that the programme could return to Muskegon County through a new local partnership. An eligible nonprofit, faith-based organisation, school system or local government could establish an affiliate partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, provided it secures adequate funding and develops a sustainable operational plan.