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Governor's Early Literacy Foundation details statewide reach: Imagination Library, book buses and K–3 supports
Summary
Foundation leaders told the committee they serve roughly 284,000 children through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and related K–3 home-library and caregiver engagement programs; they described research partnerships and requested continued legislative support.
Leaders of the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation briefed the House Education Committee on the foundation's statewide programs, reach and research partnerships.
James Pond, the foundation's president and CEO, said the organization runs Dolly Parton's Imagination Library statewide and currently serves about 284,000 children from birth to age 5. "To date, we've put about 50,000,000 books in the hands of kids," Pond said, and the foundation also provides kindergarten–third grade home library packets aligned to Tennessee curriculum, caregiver text-message supports, 50 book buses and 76 storybook trails.
Dr. Carl Wendt (COO) and other staff described partnerships with research organizations, including Tennessee Education Research Alliance and Vanderbilt University, to study program effectiveness. Wendt said a research report on the K–3 program is expected in early 2027. The foundation highlighted a 99.9 percent enrollment uptake for the K–3 home library pilot in participating schools and asked the committee to consider support for parent-facing materials such as video content to help caregivers prepare children for school.
Members asked whether the programs are "governor proof" in an election year; Pond said the initiatives were created to belong to the state and to survive transitions in administration. Committee members thanked the foundation for its work and encouraged continued coordination.
What happens next: The foundation will continue partnership work with school districts and research partners and invited committee members to engage with regional convenings and program pilots.
