We are dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in Montana by gifting free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five.

A Love of books and reading offers the foundation for Literacy skills that set children up for future success. Parents reading to their children from birth improves a child's future reading ability.

Dolly Parton believes that if you can read, you can do anything, dream anything, and be anything. Through her Imagination Library program, she wants to ensure all children have books at home, regardless of the environment in which they live.

Treasure State Foundation

The Imagination Library of Montana is the chief initiative of the Treasure State Foundation, which serves as the Montana state program sponsor and was founded in 2021 by First Lady Susan Gianforte as a way to support the common good in Montana. 

In 2023, First Lady Gianforte and Dolly Parton announced the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library program in Montana, making it available to all Montana children under age five. The program’s unique funding structure centers on local community support and support from the Treasure State Foundation, which is assisting local programs with funding. 

Local Program Partners

Imagination Library of Montana has 58 local program partners working tirelessly in their communities to ensure Montana children under the age of five have access to free books through the Imagination Librayr. They are available to assist with Imagination Library in your area. Click here to search for your Local Program Partner by county. 

Meet the Team

  • Susan Gianforte is the First Lady of Montana and spearheaded the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Montana. She serves in a volunteer capacity as the president of the Treasure State Foundation, which serves as the Imagination Library State Program Partner for Montana. In her role, she leads fundraising efforts and statewide administration for the program. Susan earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME) from Cornell University, a master's degree, also in ME, from UC Berkeley, and a Master of Business Administration from New York University. The Governor and First Lady have four grown children and five grandchildren.  She considers herself blessed and honored to serve as Montana's First Lady, working alongside her husband. Her favorite Imagination Library book is "The Little Engine that Could"

  • Teal Whitaker oversees statewide outreach and marketing efforts for Imagination Library of Montana, helping spread the joy of literacy around the state. She formerly worked at the Montana Community Foundation and United Way of Yellowstone County. Teal attended Gonzaga University and has a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Washington. Teal can often be found spending time with her husband and two kids or attempting to garden. Her favorite Imagination Library book is "The Rabbit Listened."

Statewide Partnerships

Partnerships are an essential part of ensuring that Montana families are aware of and able to enroll in the Imagination Library. We are proud to partner with a variety of dedicated community organizations and businesses across Montana, who are promoting the program and helping put books in the hands of Montana kids.

  • Barrett Hospital & HealthCare

  • Benefis Health System

  • Billings Clinic

  • Bitterroot Health - Hamilton

  • Bozeman Health

  • Cabinet Peaks Medical Center

  • Central Montana Medical Center - Lewistown

  • Community Hospital of Anaconda

  • Community Medical Center - Missoula

  • FCCLA Montana

  • Fort Peck Tribes Head Start

  • Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital - Glasgow

  • Glendive Medical Center

  • Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

  • Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital

  • Intermountain Health St. James Hospital

  • Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital

  • Livingston HealthCare

  • Logan Health

  • M.S. in Innovation and Management Program - Montana State University

  • Montana Consortium of Indian Health Centers

  • Montana Head Start Association

  • Montana State Library

  • Northeast Montana Health Service

  • Northern Montana Health Care

  • Office of Public Instruction

  • Partners in Pediatrics

  • Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center

  • Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

  • Providence St. Patrick Hospital

  • Sheridan Memorial Hospital

  • Sidney Health Center

  • St. Luke Community Healthcare

  • St. Peter’s Health

  • Zero to Five Montana