FEC’s Imagination Library Program Expands in Weimar Through New Texas State Partnership

Fayette Electric Cooperative (FEC) is proud to announce that the Weimar Public Library has been selected to receive funding through a new partnership between the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This funding will cover 50% of the local program costs for children enrolled in the Weimar zip code, helping ensure that more young readers can receive free, high-quality books each month.

The funding is part of a statewide effort supported by the Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 10, 2025. Through this initiative, local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library partners working in coordination with public libraries can receive matching funds to help offset the cost of books and mailing, making it easier to expand enrollment and reach more children.

Since launching more than 30 years ago, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program. The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by mailing free books each month to children from birth to age five, with funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation, the State of Texas, and local program partners.

“Fayette Electric Cooperative is proud of our partnership with the Weimar Public Library and the work we are doing together to bring more books into the homes of young children,” said Tracy Denton, director of marketing, communications & training at Fayette Electric Cooperative. “This new funding opportunity will cover half of the program costs for children enrolled in the Weimar zip code, allowing us to invest those savings into enrolling more children and expanding access to books throughout our communities. We are grateful to the Weimar Public Library for their commitment to literacy and early childhood learning.”

Currently, approximately 99 children in the Weimar zip code are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and receiving free books each month. An estimated 359 children in the area are eligible for the program, leaving significant opportunity to expand participation among local families.

“We would love to see these numbers grow,” Denton said. “Every child deserves the opportunity to build a home library and develop a love of reading from an early age. With this new state partnership, we have an even greater opportunity to reach families and ensure more children receive the gift of books.”

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission created this funding opportunity to help expand the reach of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across Texas and make the program available to every eligible child in the state.

“The Texas State Library and Archives Commission believes strongly that fostering a love of reading early is essential to lifelong learning,” said State Librarian Gloria Meraz. “We are proud to support this initiative, which will bring books directly into the hands of children, who can experience the joy of reading with their first and best teachers, their parents and caregivers.”

Through its partnership with local libraries and community organizations, Fayette Electric Cooperative currently helps provide books to children across its service area. The additional support for Weimar families will strengthen those efforts and help ensure that even more children can build their own home libraries before entering kindergarten.

To help spread awareness of the program, a life-size Dolly Parton cutout, affectionately known as "Travelling Dolly," will be on display at the Weimar Public Library through the end of October. Families are encouraged to stop by, take a photo with Dolly, and learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Children from birth to age five who are not yet enrolled can sign up for this free book program during their visit.

Families with children from birth to age five who live in eligible areas can enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.fayette.coop/dpil.

About the Weimar Public Library
The Weimar Public Library is committed to encouraging literacy, learning, and community engagement for residents of all ages. As a valued partner in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the library works alongside Fayette Electric Cooperative to expand access to books and early literacy resources for local children. Through this collaboration, more families in the Weimar area can build home libraries, develop early reading skills, and create lasting experiences through the joy of reading together.