Longmont Rotary is partnering with Born to Read and the Longmont Community Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to families throughout Longmont. Launched locally in May 2025, the program provides every registered child with a free, age-appropriate book delivered directly to their home every month from birth until their fifth birthday. Families can choose English or bilingual English-Spanish books, and there is no cost or income qualification.
The partnership builds on Born to Read’s more than 30 years of promoting early childhood literacy. Born to Read provides two board books to newborns at Longmont’s two hospitals, along with literacy resources, a library card and an invitation to enroll in Imagination Library. This helps bridge the important gap between infancy and the preschool years.
Longmont Rotary provided the initial $10,000 grant to help launch the program and continues to support enrollment and administration. The Longmont Community Foundation serves as the official local affiliate and manages funding, while Born to Read leads community outreach.
The program is already having a significant impact. 888 Longmont-area children are currently enrolled, with 101 children having already graduated after turning five—meaning nearly 1,000 children have benefited. Monthly costs are currently about $1,100, with Imagination Library Colorado covering approximately half of the book cost.
The partnership demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to improving childhood literacy and giving every child an opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading.