DPHHS Partners with Imagination Library to Promote Early Literacy for Montana Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 13 2026

Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

DPHHS and Imagination Library of Montana Announce Partnership to Promote Early Literacy

HELENA, MT – First Lady Susan Gianforte and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) today announced a new partnership with the Imagination Library of Montana to put more books into the hands of young Montanans, fostering early literacy and a lifelong passion for learning.

The DPHHS Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) is joining forces with the Imagination Library of Montana to encourage more Montana families to enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five each month.

“This partnership will help us connect more directly with providers, partners, and programs serving Montana families with young children,” said First Lady Gianforte, who also serves as the volunteer executive director for Imagination Library of Montana. “Our hope is that this partnership will result in more families registering their young children for this impactful program. It’s about more than just books, it’s about empowering families to read together, strengthening bonds, and preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.”

The ECFSD will promote the Imagination Library through its various initiatives supporting children and families, such as home visiting, early intervention services, maternal health, child care, and the Women, Infants, and Children program. The ECFSD works with health care clinics, community providers, and local organizations to ensure Montana’s youth are healthy and thriving. By integrating literacy resources into these existing services, the division provides a holistic support system for families.

“The long-term outcomes of the Imagination Library closely align with and support the core objectives of the division,” said ECFSD administrator Tracy Moseman. “This partnership is vital to our mission of providing coordinated services and resources that promote well-being and support the health and development of children, families, and our entire community.”

Under the leadership of First Lady Gianforte, the Imagination Library of Montana expanded statewide in 2023 and is now available to all children under age five. Currently, more than 29,000 Montana children are enrolled, representing approximately half of the state’s eligible population.

The partnership was announced this week in recognition of the Week of the Young Child. Every April, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosts the Week of the Young Child to highlight the importance of early learning.

Governor Greg Gianforte issued a proclamation recognizing April 11 to 17, 2026, as the Week of the Young Child in Montana. This year, Montana celebrates the Week of the Young Child by ensuring the Imagination Library program continues to reach children across the Treasure State.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, was created more than 30 years ago in honor of Dolly Parton’s father, who could not read or write. Today, the international program mails more than 3 million books each month to children around the world.

To register a child under the age of five or learn more about the Imagination Library of Montana, visit montanaimaginationlibrary.org. View Gov. Gianforte’s proclamation for Week of the Young Child.