SPRINGFIELD — Laurie McNichols has stepped into a new role as the state director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a nonprofit that promotes children’s reading proficiency nationwide.
McNichols, previously an area director with Oregon literacy nonprofit SMART Reading, brings 14 years of experience promoting early literacy by raising awareness, building relationships, and securing funding to support the work. McNichols was the SMART senior program manager for the South Valley for 10 years before joining as the South Valley area director in November 2021.
With the Imagination Library of Oregon, McNichols will oversee the statewide program implementation, staffing, and budget; she will also work to develop strategies for supporting and sustaining efforts across the state.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Early Learning and Care, alongside partners and communities statewide, is a dream come true,” McNichols said. “I am committed to ensuring that Oregon’s youngest readers can receive high quality, age-appropriate books, at no cost to families, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library aims to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families nationwide. The intention is that every child has books, regardless of their family’s income. Imagination Library work is happening across Oregon in partnership with the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to expand the program statewide.
In May, Gov. Tina Kotek announced the launch of the Imagination Library of Oregon’s statewide book-gifting program, which will cover 50% of the cost of gifting books to Oregon’s youngest learners statewide.
“This is not only about giving out books; it’s also about sparking moments of joy and building early, positive connections with reading for young learners and their families,” she said.
Local program partners across the state coordinate and manage enrollments and raise funds to cover the remaining costs of books and postage for each monthly mailing.
The expansion aims to make books available to children from birth through their 5th birthday in every zip code in Oregon. To date, the program serves over 58,000 children.
