Richland County Imagination Library

Richland County Imagination Library is the local affiliate of the global program. Richland County Imagination Library is a book gifting program for preschool-age children, ages birth to five. Each month an age-appropriate book is mailed directly to the enrolled child's home at no cost to the parent. The books are mailed directly to the child to create a sense of excitement and bond with the books and create an opportunity to read and connect with a caregiver. Dolly started this program, but the work is done locally to maintain it.

Ohio has the most children registered in the country, which comes with a significant book cost. The commitment to early literacy is supported through a state-level funding match. The remaining funds are raised through the efforts of the RCIL Community Coalition. The coalition is run by local partners at Richland Public Health, CHAP and Richland County Youth and Family Council and has members from county agencies, organizations, and community members working to keep this program in Richland County. 

In Richland County, we are responsible for raising approximately $5,000 each month to keep the books mailing. A donation of just $26 covers one child’s books for a year. How many children can you support in 2025?