For thousands of families across Clark County, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was more than a monthly gift. it was a lifeline for early literacy. Until recently, over 18,000 children under the age of five were receiving free, age-appropriate books delivered right to their homes every month.

Now the books have stopped coming.

The state funding that supported the program ran out in 2025, and the Legislature failed to renew it. T

hat means no more “Dolly days,” no more monthly storytimes, and no more reliable access to books for young kids in Las Vegas and beyond.

Parents are devastated, and early childhood literacy advocates are sounding the alarm.

In a state where only 4 in 10 third graders can read proficiently, taking away one of our most cost-effective tools to build early reading habits makes no sense. The program costs just $2.75 per child per month, a tiny investment for huge long-term gains. Dolly Parton’s national foundation covers the shipping and administrative costs. All we need is local funding to get books into children’s hands.

Storied Kids, the nonprofit that ran the program in Clark County, needs about $650,000 to restart in 2026. That’s less than the cost of many one-time school contracts, but this funding could change the lives of thousands of children.

We’re calling on Nevada lawmakers, Governor Joe Lombardo, and local business leaders to step up. Whether through public funding, private partnerships, or both, we must bring this program back.

Reading should never depend on a family’s income or zip code. Sign this petition to bring back free books for Clark County’s kids — and invest in the future of Nevada.

Photo: (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)