Some announcements feel good all the way down to your toes — and this is one of them.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is officially launching in Ouachita Parish, and that means children ages 0–5 can receive a free, high-quality book mailed to their home every single month. Yes, really. A book with your child’s name on it, delivered straight to your mailbox, ready to be read again and again (and again).
This incredible opportunity is made possible by the primary local funder, the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. With support from School Readiness Tax Credit (SRTC) donors, early literacy is being strengthened right here at home. If you contribute to SRTC, you can feel especially proud — your investment is literally landing in mailboxes and building young readers across our community.
This effort is strengthened by valued community partners including Bank of Oak Ridge, The Center for Children & Families, John Rea Realty, Ouachita Parish Public Library, and Kiwanis Club of Great Ouachita, whose support helps amplify the impact.
Why Early Reading Matters So Much
The early years (birth to age five) are when a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time in life. Reading together:
- Builds vocabulary before kindergarten even begins
- Strengthens listening and comprehension skills
- Encourages imagination and creativity
- Creates bonding moments your child will always remember
And here’s the beautiful part — you don’t have to be a teacher or do anything fancy. Snuggling up on the couch, reading at bedtime, or flipping through pages while dinner cooks all count. Those little moments add up to a big impact.
Northeast Louisiana Parishes Offering Imagination Library
We love making it easy for families to find the good stuff. Here’s a list of Northeast Louisiana parishes currently offering Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library:
- Caldwell Parish
- East Carroll Parish
- Franklin Parish
- Jackson Parish
- Lincoln Parish
- Morehouse Parish
- Ouachita Parish
- Richland Parish
- Tensas Parish
- Union Parish
- West Carroll Parish
(Availability may vary slightly by area, so families should check registration details for their parish.)
If you have a little one ages 0–5, this is your sign to sign up and start building that home library. Because raising readers doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it just starts with opening the mailbox. 💛📬
KEEP SCROLLING FOR APPLICATION LINKS!
1. CALDWELL PARISH
Caldwell Parish School Board
PO BOX 299
COLUMBIA LA 71418
Contact: Monica Coates
Phone: (318)331-0160
Fax: (318)649-0508
Email: mcoates@caldwelledu.org
Caldwell Parish Registration Form
2. EAST CARROLL PARISH
The John H. Scott Memorial Fund
1020 3RD ST
LAKE PROVIDENCE LA 71254
Contact: Tracy Reynolds
Phone: (318)559-1471
Email: fire_earth_sun@hotmail.com
East Carroll Registration Form
3. FRANKLIN PARISH
Franklin State Bank
PO BOX 940
WINNSBORO LA 71295
Contact: Erika Woods
Phone: (318)435-3711
Email: ewoods@fsbnet.com
Franklin Parish Registration Form
4. JACKSON PARISH
Pine Belt Multi-Purpose CAA
PO BOX 580
JONESBORO LA 71251
Contact: Brittany Treadway
Phone: 3182594411
Fax: (318)259-8188
Email: btreadway@jboro.com
Jackson Parish Registration Form
5. LINCOLN PARISH
Pine Belt Multi-Purpose CAA
109 JIMMIE DAVIS BLVD
JONESBORO LA 71251
Contact: Brittany Treadway
Phone: (318)259-4411
Email: btreadway@jboro.com
Lincoln Parish Registration Form
6. MOREHOUSE PARISH
Bank of Oak Ridge
2360 TOWER DR STE 107
MONROE LA 71201
Contact: Anna Martin
Phone: (318)376-5683
Email: amartin@bankofoakridge.bank
Morehouse Parish Registration Form
7. OUACHITA PARISH
Bank of Oak Ridge
2360 TOWER DR STE 107
MONROE LA 71201
Contact: Anna Martin
Phone: (318)376-5683
Email: amartin@bankofoakridge.bank
Ouachita Parish Registration Form
8. RICHLAND PARISH
Richland Parish School Board
PO BOX 599
RAYVILLE LA 71269
Contact: Chessa Harrington
Phone: (318)728-5964
Email: charrington@richland.k12.la.us
Richland Parish Registration Form
9. TENSAS PARISH
The John H. Scott Memorial Fund
703 PLANK RD
SAINT JOSEPH LA 71366
Contact: Cleo Brown
Phone: (843)860-7249
Email: cleosbrown@yahoo.com
Tensas Parish Registration Form
10. UNION PARISH
Union Parish School Board
1206 MARION HWY
FARMERVILLE LA 71241
Contact: Cynthia Gatson
Phone: (318)368-9715
Email: gatsonc@unionpsd.org
Union Parish Registration Form
11. WEST CARROLL
Children's Coalition for NELA
117 HALL ST
MONROE LA 71201
Contact: Jennifer Calhoun
Phone: (318)323-8775
Email: jcalhoun@childrenscoalition.org
West Carroll Registration Form
As your local parenting resource, Macaroni KID Monroe-West Monroe is always on the lookout for programs that truly support families — and this one is a game changer. Free books. Every month. For five whole years. That’s the kind of mailbox magic we can get behind.
If you have a little one ages 0–5, this is your sign to sign up and start building that home library. Because raising readers doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it just starts with opening the mailbox. 💛📬
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