IMAGINATION BACON - Bacon & Brews for Books

What is Imagination Library?

In 2013, the Heartland United Way initiated Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library so that every enrolled child from 0-5 years old in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties would have the opportunity to have a library of their own before entering kindergarten.

Every month, children enrolled in the Imagination Library Program receive a free book in the mail until their fifth birthday. The first book every child receives is “The Little Engine That Could” and the last book every child receives is “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”

“Imagination Library is a great program that we are lucky to have our sons apart of. Receiving a new book each month is an exciting way to instill a love for reading at an early age.” - Leah Michel and son, Miles Michel

"I've been receiving books for my grandkids from Imagination Library for the last 3 years and love that I have quite a library for them! I look forward to getting a new book each month and sharing the stories with them when they come to visit. They always look forward to the new books I have!!" - Shannon Shuck

"It was such a treat every month for her to receive her books. She loved being read to and the diversity of the books was incredible. I recommend this program to anyone with littles." - Monica Dinkel

100% of the Imagination Bacon proceeds will go directly to cover the costs for purchasing and mailing the books each month to children birth to five enrolled in the Imagination Library program. The goal is to provide every child with a library of their own before they start kindergarten and to engage (& encourage) parents to be their child’s best first teacher. 

The books typically include questions and creative ways to encourage parents to participate in reading the books with their children. On the inside cover of the book, there are suggestions on how to begin reading the book, questions to ask while reading the story, and follow up questions after finishing the book. 

With generous support from community donors, this program has remained free and without a wait-list for enrolled children in our four-county area. The program costs the United Way $30 per year for each child enrolled in the program. We currently serve over 3,000 children in the Imagination Library program. 

Our Goal

100% of the Imagination Bacon proceeds will go directly to cover the costs for purchasing and mailing the books each month to children birth to five enrolled in the Imagination Library program. The goal is to provide every child with a library of their own before they start kindergarten and to engage (& encourage) parents to be their child’s best first teacher. We currently serve over 3,000 children in the Imagination Library program. 

With generous support from community donors, this program has remained free and without a wait-list for enrolled children in our four-county area. The program costs the United Way $30.00 per year for each child enrolled in the program.