Write a commentDolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Oswego County has gifted 200,682 free books to local children under the age of five years old as of October 2025.
Imagination Library of Oswego County (ILOC) reached a major milestone by gifting over 200,000 books to Oswego County families participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as of October 31, 2025.
Since the program was launched by the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County (LCOC) in November 2018, in partnership with United Way of Greater Oswego County, ILOC has delivered a total of 200,682 high quality, age-appropriate books. 7,984 children have participated in the local program, and 3,955 children have aged out and graduated since its inception. ILOC is currently serving 55% of eligible children in the County as of October 31, 2025, with over 3,500 active children receiving a free book each month. The program is forecasted to serve over 4,200 children and deliver over 40,000 books in 2025.
“When I first started with the program in April 2023, we had just reached 100,000 books delivered. It’s hard to believe we’ve provided another 100,000 books in just over two years,” said Andrew Eusebio, ILOC program coordinator. “I’m proud of the work that we’ve accomplished and the lasting impact it will have on communities and families across the County.”
LCOC President Paul Gugel recently had the opportunity of visiting a family member when their 22-month-old child’s monthly Imagination Library book arrived in the mail. The child lit up with joy when she saw the book and insisted that her mom stop everything and read it to her then, which she gladly did. Paul shared it was a great experience to see, and, thanks to Imagination Library of Oswego County, it is an experience that has been shared over 200,000 times by children in our community.
“The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is very grateful to have played a role in helping to bring the Imagination Library to Oswego County and looks forward to continuing to work with the program to ensure that children in Oswego County continue to have access to the beautiful and engaging books the program provides,” said Paul Gugel, LCOC president.
It’s a common misconception that Dolly Parton fully funds the Imagination Library program. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support from numerous local foundations, corporations and businesses, civic organizations, and individuals, including the Oswego County Legislature, the John Ben Snow Foundation, Oswego County Youth Bureau, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the Oswego County Community Foundation, Stewart’s Shop and Glider Oil Company, Inc.
Community partnerships have also been integral for the program’s success in recent years. The program has experienced a significant boost in enrollment through support from Oswego Health, the Oswego County Libraries, Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance, Oswego County Help Me Grow, and many more community-oriented organizations.
Imagination Library of Oswego County, the county-wide affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books to children from birth to age five each month for free regardless of the household income. ILOC is administered by the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County in partnership with United Way of Greater Oswego County. Learn more at OswegoImaginationLibrary.org or on Facebook at ImaginationLibraryOswegoCounty.
The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is a coalition of local organizations and individuals dedicated to improving literacy for people of all ages in Oswego County. For more information about the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, visit literacycoalitionofoswegocounty.com or find them on Facebook at LiteracyCoalitionOfOswegoCounty.
