News

(This article was updated on May 3, 2023 to reflect the latest book access events through May 2023).

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to young children, announced that the program ended in the City of Pittsburgh due to a lack of funds. The free program would send one book per month in the mail to enrolled children ages five and under. Pittsburgh families and children received their last book in April 2023.

Available Allegheny County Book Access Resources

Although the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program will no longer be available to City of Pittsburgh families and caregivers, there are plenty of local resources to make books accessible to young children:

• Sign up for a Library Card
  • Signing up for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County Library Association cards work all throughout the county.
• Bookworm Global
  • Programs can work with Bookworm Global to host books drives and/or receive books.
• Reading Ready Pittsburgh
  • Birthday Book Gifting program allows participating sites to gift each child in their childcare program an age appropriate book on their birthday.
  • Reading Ready Pittsburgh builds, fills, and maintains 11 little giveaway libraries in the Mon Valley. All families are invited to take books from the little giveaway libraries to add to their home collection and read with their children regularly.
• Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh
  • The Books for Keeps program features fun, educational Reading Celebrations that combine story times, motivational literacy activities, and the opportunity to select a book to take home and keep.
  • Little Free Library Map
    • Get free books at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center.
    • Find other Little Free Libraries located near other Family Centers in the Allegheny County Family Center Network.
• Free Store Wilkinsburg / 15104 Free Store
  • Visit either Free Store for your opportunity to search through donated books in stock.
• 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
  • CLP has released their latest Best Books for Babies List. This list is meant to encourage parents and other caregivers to read to babies right from the start—because learning begins at birth.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Program: Sunday, 6/11 through Sunday 8/06
  • Children, teens and adults can track their reading to earn chances to win prizes. Children and teens can visit any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location and select a free book to keep, while supplies last. Visit carnegielibrary.org/summer for more information.

National Book Access Resources

• National Education Association (NEA)
  • Need help finding books to put into the hands of readers? Check out these resources and book distribution programs that bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students.

Book Access Events in May

• Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
  • Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. 15206
  • Saturday, 5/13 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is a free event in East Liberty that celebrates the city’s rich literary community and love of reading. Alongside numerous other community organizations and programs, Buzzword will be present and providing free books to early readers (ages 0-5).
• Braddock Literacy Day
  • Clara Davis Friendship Plaza, 451 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA. 15104 (across the street from 15104 Free Store)
  • Saturday, 5/20 | 1 -3 p.m.
  • Enjoy crafts, popcorn, raffles, and free books during this Reading Ready Pittsburgh event.