Starting next year, babies born at Thibodaux Regional will receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Lafourche Education Foundation said.
THIBODAUX, La. — Babies born at Thibodaux Regional will be eligible to receive free books each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, starting in October 2026, the Lafourche Education Foundation said Wednesday.
Imagination Library is funded by country music icon Dolly Parton—who created the program to inspire children to “Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More”—along with support from local partners.
At no cost to families, the program mails books to children from birth to age 5. Since it’s founding, it’s sent more than 200 million books to kids around the world, according to its website.
On Wednesday, the Lafourche Education Foundation announced that it partnered with Thibodaux Regional to bring Imagination Library to the hospital. Parents will see information on how to register for the program in their new parent packets.
“This partnership will provide the earliest opportunity for parents to register their newborns to receive an age-appropriate book monthly up to age 5,” Dana Gros, executive director of the Lafourche Education Foundation said in a press release. “By partnering with the Imagination Library, Thibodaux Regional Health System is investing in a generation of readers, thinkers, and leaders. Together, we can give children in our parish the tools to succeed — one book at a time.”
According to Imaginary Library’s website, studies show the program could help improve kids’ home reading habits and attitudes toward reading. The foundation said local kids who’ve gone through the program are starting school more confident and prepared.