It sounds almost too simple to be true, but when you read regularly with your children during their first years, you are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will ever get!
Each month, a new, carefully selected book is mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. They look forward to new and exciting reading adventures from United Way's Imagination Library until they turn 5 years old, as long as you remain a resident of Erie County. Should your child move outside Erie County, they do exit the program. However, be sure to check the Dollywood Foundation website for an Imagination Library in your new community!
United Way's Imagination Library is a FREE gift to our children. All you have to do is read to your children.
Please select Imagination Library from the dropdown menu when making your gift.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library mails 2 million books to children a month. They must place their book orders a month in advance to do this. Depending on when you register your child, it may take up to eight to twelve weeks for the first book to arrive. After that, the books will come every month.
For example, if you registered your child on January 6th and were approved by your local affiliate in January, you would receive your first book in March.
When planning a move, please contact our Imagination Library representative in Erie County: Joanna and provide her with your new address. You can reach her either by email or phone.
Email: joanna@unitedwayerie.org
Phone: 814-456-2937 ext 233
Once you moved, please visit the website to check if they off the program.
Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that the program will be available in your new neighborhood.
Each child within an age group receives the same monthly book.
The Imagination Library makes sure children receive an appropriate book by allocating them to an age group based on their year of birth.
For example, children born in 2023 will receive board books with minimal text focusing on nurture and attachment, whereas a child born in 2018 will receive a softcover picture book, covering more complex concepts.
A child enrolled from birth to their fifth birthday will build their own home library of up to 60 books. Learn more.
If you registered your child online or an email address was added to your child's record upon registration, this will serve as your username. If you do not know the password, please request a new password using the New Password/Forgot Password link on the login page. I
If your link has expired or is invalid, you can request a new link at any time by visiting www.imaginationlibrary.com/bos.
If there is no email address on your child's account, you will need to contact Joanna.
Email: joanna@unitedwayerie.org
Phone: 814-456-2937 ext: 233
All children in Erie County, Pennsylvania from the day of birth until their 5th birthday are eligible!
Books begin arriving at your home, eight to ten weeks after your completed registration form has been received and continue until your child turns 5 or you move out of Erie County. If your child’s address changes, you must contact United Way of Erie County, (814) 456-2937, in order to continue receiving books.
Books begin arriving at your home, eight to ten weeks after your completed registration form has been received and continue until your child turns 5 or you move out of Erie County. If your child’s address changes, you must contact United Way of Erie County, (814) 456-2937, in order to continue receiving books.
Check out our most recent Imaginary Library Newsletters!
