LEXINGTON, Ky. — Golisano Children's at UK has become an enrollment site for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, allowing newborns and pediatric patients to receive free books delivered monthly until age 5.

The program launch on June 3 was celebrated with readings from state legislators and visits by state officials. Every child born at the hospital can now be enrolled before discharge and receive a copy of "The Little Engine That Could," the first book provided to all Imagination Library enrollees.

"As a children's hospital, we care for the whole child — not only their physical health, but also their emotional well-being," said Scottie B. Day, physician-in-chief for Golisano Children's at UK. "When families read together, it does more than support a child's brain development and language growth."

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, founded in 1995, has expanded across Kentucky with support from state legislation and local partners. In the commonwealth, more than 136,000 children are enrolled — representing 51% of all Kentucky children under age 5. In Fayette County, 39% of the eligible population participates in the program.

Children receive new, age-appropriate books each month through age 5 at no cost to families. The program has expanded to all 120 Kentucky counties, with funding from a state-local partnership established by the General Assembly.

"Giving a child a book is one of the most impactful, cost-effective and joyful investments we can make in our future workforce," said Libby Suttles, state director of Imagination Library Kentucky.

State Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe and Rep. Chad Aull attended the launch event, reading to pediatric patients at the hospital's Don & Cathy Jacobs Patient Education Center, which serves as the distribution site for UK Golisano's program.

Any pediatric patient admitted to UK Golisano Children's who resides in a county with an Imagination Library program can also enroll. More information and enrollment is available at imaginationlibrary.com.