celebrating 5 Years of the Montgomery County Imagination Library

In December 2024, the Montgomery County Imagination Library celebrates an incredible milestone—5 years of delivering the joy of reading to children across our community! Since 2019, the program has partnered with Dayton Children’s Hospital as its affiliate, providing access to high-quality, age-appropriate books to children ages 0-5, completely free of charge. 

What began as a vision to improve early childhood literacy has blossomed into a community-wide effort, reaching thousands of families. In the last five years, we've seen firsthand how the simple act of receiving a book in the mail can spark a lifelong love of reading in children. 

The excitement of opening the mailbox and discovering a new story to share at bedtime is more than just a routine—it’s an opportunity for families to bond, create lasting memories, and build a foundation for future learning success. 

The power of books for kids

The impact of the Imagination Library is undeniable. Research has shown that early exposure to books helps develop critical language and cognitive skills in young children, preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. For many families, this program has made books more accessible, bridging the gap for children who might not have easy access to reading materials at home. 

Over the past five years, our program has distributed thousands of books, helping children grow their home libraries, one book at a time. Families like Andrew Spoon’s have expressed how much the program has enriched their lives.  

“Receiving books from the Imagination Library program has been such a blessing to my little family,” shares Andrew.

“My son, Odin, loves checking the mailbox for his Dolly books, and the countless memories we’ve shared reading together at bedtime are truly priceless.” 

Looking ahead as a community

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also excited for what the future holds. Our goal is to continue expanding our reach, ensuring that every eligible child in Montgomery County has the chance to participate in the Imagination Library. But we can't do it alone. As a community, we rely on the generous support of donors, volunteers, and partners who believe in the power of books to shape a child’s future. 

To help us mark this special occasion, we invite you to join us in continuing this mission. Your donation to the program through the Dayton Foundation helps us deliver books to more children for years to come. For just $66, you can provide a child with books for 5 years—an investment that will spark a lifelong love of reading and learning. 

Donate today through the Dayton Foundation to support the Montgomery County Imagination Library. Click the button below and use fund name: 1614 Montgomery County Imagination Library. 

 donate through the Dayton Foundation

Join us in celebrating this milestone

As we reflect on the past five years, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the families, community partners, and donors who have made this journey possible. Together, we’ve helped build a brighter future for the children of Montgomery County, one book at a time. 

Here’s to many more years of fostering a love of reading and making a lasting impact in our community. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!