SALEM, Ore. -Governor Tina Kotek announced the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library on May 8.

The expansion is part of Oregon's goal of making books from the program available to all children up to the age of five in all the counties in the state.

"The expansion of this program across Oregon is another key step we are taking as part of a broader strategy to improve how we support our kids as they learn to read," said Governor Kotek.

The Imagination Library is supported by the nonprofit Dollywood Foundation, with the goal of every child under age five enrolling and receiving a free monthly book, according to its website.

The Oregon Legislature allocated $1.7 million through Senate Bill 5506 to the Department of Early Learning and Care in 2023 and 45,000 kids in Oregon are currently enrolled in the Imagination Library program, according to a press release on the expansion of the program.

With the Imagination Library expansion, Oregon hopes to increase childhood literacy rates, foster a love of books and promote a culture of reading among all families in the state, according to today's press release.

Oregon families can sign up for the Imagination Library or check to see if it is available in their area online.