Ionia Imagination Library

04/11/2026

These two DPIL graduates took a tour of the County Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and paid tribute to the "book lady" during their visit. 😍

04/02/2026

We are very THANKFUL to Midwest Educational Transportation Services (METS) for their very generous donation to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ionia County. METS partners with schools in the Midwest to overcome the challenges of pupil transportation. METS was previously affiliated with another company that was an annual donor to our program. As changes were made in the organization we missed a couple years. METS is it's own company and has come back with a donation to make up for some lost time! We are so grateful to have them back as an annual donor to our program. Annual donors are critical to help us assure that books will continue to be provided to children in our community. If you are a business or organization that is interested in becoming an annual donor please reach out. This project really does take a village!

04/02/2026

Thanks to a new business partner for your donation to DPIL!

03/31/2026

Thank you ! We appreciate you!

03/30/2026

We are so very pleased with this years raffle, sale and donation campaign! Our goal was to raise enough money to cover one month of distribution and we did that! Thank you to all those that bought tickets, quilts and just gave a donation to support this fund-raising event. We are thankful for your support. These efforts will support 2,134 books sents to homes in our community! 😍

03/29/2026

This article is eye-opening and more evidence why having access to books in the home and being READ to are MORE important that EVER!!

"About one-third of children entering preschool in 2025 didn’t know how to handle a book properly, with some trying to swipe at pages as if they were a phone or tablet."

"In the United States, 4 in 10 children have their own tablet BY THE AGE OF 2, and 75% of parents whose children use screen media do not apply limits, according to a 2025 report titled “Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight,” produced by Common Sense Media."

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/kids-are-entering-preschool-more-comfortable-with-screens-than-books-what-now/2026/02?

Screen time is rising among the youngest students. Experts explain its effect on literacy skills.

03/28/2026

Thank you to everyone that supported our quilt show by buying tickets, purchasing quilts and making donations. We greatly appreciate your financial gifts!! Most of all, THANK YOU to this group of AMAZING quilters that combine their talent for quilting with their passion for literacy with us. THIS EVENT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU!! Here are the winners for this year. The numbers correspond to the book as listed in the quilt booklet. If a number is skipped it is because it was sold.

#1 Bonnie Piper
#2 Amanda Eveleth
#4 Natalie Fuller
#5 Dee Cooper
#6 Carrie Daenzer
#7 Maureen Perkins
#8 Lu Dowsett
#9 Anne Bignall
#12 Caiden Pelc
#13 Mike Jacobs
#14 Jill Carter
#15 Liz Skrowski
#16 Anne Bignall
#17 Jen Johnson
#18 Lu Dowsett
#19 Emily Priest
#20 Lynette Seiler
#21 Wyatt Laux
#22 Dee Cooper
#23 Teri Agema
#26 Connie Sines
#30 Emily Priest
#32 Brenda Charles
#33 Tami Albert
#36 Tim McCrackin
#37 Daisey Cook
#40 Lynette Seiler
#41 Denise Vanluven
#42 Shannon Smith
#45 Walker Laux
#46 Yvonne Alles
#47 Amanda Eveleth

All of the winners will be officially contacted on Monday! If you want to know exactly what quilt you won. You can go to www.ionisisd.org and scroll down to the Take a Ride quilt booklet link.

03/28/2026

03/28/2026

We are here and ready for you! Come out and see us today and support literacy in our community!

03/27/2026

What families are saying:
"We love this program! My kids are constantly bringing me books and my 2.5 yr old sits down and “reads” his favorite books from memory!"

03/26/2026

This delightful quilt was pieced by Martha Ballou and quilted by Abi Mays Fabric Shop in Muskegon Michigan. The quilt measures 56"L by 42"W. This is a traditional quilt in block style with the vehicles framed in a primary colors and set upon a background of vehicles. The quilt stitching follows the square shape of the block in concentric lines creating a ripple effect on the quilt. This was Martha's first serious quilt that she made and she loved it so much she bought it back!