Senate committee hears support for codifying Imagination Library, which leaders say expands access to books
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Summary
Witnesses told the Senate committee HB 4,022 A would stabilize Oregon's Dolly Parton Imagination Library, noting statewide coverage, bilingual offerings, low per-book costs, and local fundraising needs; the committee scheduled a work session.
The Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health heard broad support Feb. 17 for House Bill 4,022 A to codify the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in state statute and direct the Department of Early Learning and Care to run the program.
Representative Lucetta Elmer, sponsor of the bill, said the program provides a free age-appropriate book each month to children from birth through age 5 and is intended to help close early-literacy gaps. "Learning to read by fourth grade is widely considered one of the most significant milestones in a child's education," Elmer told the committee.
Laurie McNichols, State Director for the Imagination Library of Oregon, said the program has achieved statewide coverage and that research links participation to stronger early-literacy outcomes. McNichols told the committee the average cost per book in Oregon is about $2.60 and that the state pays roughly $1.30 while local partners contribute about $1.30, though prices vary by book size.
Kaylee Crystal, Imagination Library community engagement coordinator, said the statewide launch in May 2024 expanded access and enabled a bilingual English-Spanish collection. She noted that by February 2026 Oregon had mailed its 4 millionth Imagination Library book and that more than 1.33 million books had been mailed since the statewide launch.
Lisa Harnish, executive director of the Marion Polk Early Learning Hub, described local implementation and fundraising: she said local affiliates rely on a mix of state support, philanthropy, events and grants and noted an affiliate-level funding obligation approaching $140,000 per year in one example to cover its share of costs.
Alyssa Johnson of the Yamhill Enrichment Society said local partners have mailed more than 317,000 books in Yamhill County since 2013 and that enrollment in eligible cohorts reaches about 50%, roughly 2,500 children in her area. She shared survey results showing caregivers report increased reading and kindergarten preparation after enrollment.
Senators asked how the program is funded and how families enroll; witnesses said the Dollywood Foundation provides program infrastructure, the state and local partners share book-and-mailing costs through existing Birth through 5 literacy funds in DELC, and local partners do outreach in hospitals, clinics and hubs. The committee closed the hearing and scheduled a work session for Thursday.
No formal vote was taken during the hearing.