Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education

09/25/2026

Today, September 25 - a little nod to Dolly’s famous 9 to 5 we’re celebrating Dolly Parton and the joy of reading she has helped bring to children and families across our state! 📚🦋❤️

Celebrate Dolly Day with us by reading a favorite book with a child, sharing the joy of reading with another family, or enrolling an eligible child in Dolly Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Alabama!

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday proclaimed September 25, 2026, as Dolly Day in Alabama, joining communities across the nation in celebrating Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life, enduring legacy and lifelong commitment to children and families. As a nod to … Continued

09/23/2026

On Tuesday at the Children's Policy Council Conference, Secretary Ami Brooks had the honor of presenting Governor Kay Ivey with the Lifetime Champion for Children Award, recognizing her longstanding commitment to Alabama’s children and families.

We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this meaningful recognition. Thank you, Governor Kay Ivey for your commitment to Alabama's youngest learners!

The governor was awarded the "Lifetime Champion for Children Award" during the Children's Policy Council Conference on Tuesday.

09/23/2026

Help put more books into the hands and homes of young children by supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Every gift helps inspire a love of reading and gives children the opportunity to build their own library, one book at a time.

Give Like Dolly Day is only TWO days away! 🦋💛

In 1995, Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library to inspire a love of reading among children in her home community of Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, 31 years later, her dream has grown into a global legacy spanning five countries and reaching millions of children every month.

And that dream is alive and growing right here in Alabama, where more than 124,000 children receive a brand-new book of their very own every month. 📚💛

But Dolly has always said that the true heroes of the Imagination Library are the Local Program Partners who make it possible in communities around the world.

Month after month, these incredible partners:
🦋 Advocate for the program
🦋 Enroll local children
🦋 Raise the funds needed to provide and mail books to families in their communities

This Friday, Give Like Dolly Day is your chance to give back to the people who keep Dolly’s dream growing in Alabama.

It’s simple:

🔍 Find your Local Program Partner
🎁 Make a gift to support their work
📣 Share their work with your friends and family

Together, we can help make sure more Alabama children grow up with a love of reading — one book, one child, and one community at a time. 💛📚🦋

Visit:
donate.imaginationlibrary.com

09/16/2026

Give Like Dolly Day is coming September 25!

Dolly Parton believed in giving back and helping children dream bigger—and this year, we’re celebrating that spirit through Give Like Dolly Day.

On September 25, we’re inviting communities all over the world to join us in giving back to children by supporting your local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Your support helps make it possible for the children in your community to receive a free, high-quality book every month from birth to age 5.

Learn more and find the Imagination Library program serving your community: imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability

09/15/2026

Thank you to these incredible Program Partners!

As we gear up for "Give Like Dolly Day" on 9/25, we encourage you to connect with your Local Program Partner! Below, we've listed our incredible network of organizations that help provide free books to over 120,000 children in Alabama! 📖✨

💛 Ways to Support:
- Follow their page
- Consider Making a Donation
- Ask About Volunteer Opportunities
- Hold a Fundraiser on their Behalf
- Share this Post!

09/14/2026

Secretary Ami Brooks was on the road and in the classroom for a special visit to Albertville!

From smiling faces to busy classrooms, it was a great day seeing learning, laughter, play, and connection in action. Take a look at a few snapshots from Secretary Brooks’ visit and the wonderful things happening at Albertville Pre-K Center!

Thank you to the students, teachers, and staff for making us feel right at home!

09/11/2026

On Patriot Day, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the heroes who responded with courage, compassion, and selflessness.

09/09/2026

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is excited to share Part 1 of the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act Resource Series: Understanding the Law.

Developed in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Human Resources, this resource series is designed to help early childhood education programs understand the Act and prepare for implementation.

The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act supports healthy development during the critical early years by promoting appropriate screen use while protecting the experiences young children need most—play, reading, physical activity, hands-on learning, and meaningful interactions with caring adults.

For more information, visit https://www.children.alabama.gov/act-2026-169/

09/07/2026

Have a safe Labor Day!

09/02/2026

Sign up today!

Fans of Dolly Parton in Alabama will soon have a new way to honor the late singer’s legacy of fostering reading! Read more 👇