Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2025
Surrounded by children and families, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham—joined by Lt. Governor Howie Morales, ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, and local program leaders—signed an executive order expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide. The initiative ensures that every New Mexico child from birth to age five receives free, high-quality books delivered to their home each month.
SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed an executive order to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, ensuring every New Mexico child from birth to age five has access to free monthly books delivered to their home.
The signing ceremony included Lt. Governor Howie Morales, Early Childhood Education and Care Department Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, and local program leaders who have championed literacy efforts across the state.
“Today, we’re unlocking the potential of our youngest minds and transforming the future of New Mexico one book at a time,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “Every New Mexican child deserves the chance to grow up with books in their home and stories in their hands. Imagination Library proves what’s possible when we invest in our children’s futures.”
With an additional $1 million in funding for FY26, the program will be able to serve 30,000 more children in every zip code across New Mexico, offering each up to 60 free, high-quality books by the time they turn five. To date, nearly 2 million books have been mailed to families statewide. This investment builds on a grassroots effort that began in 2010 in Grant County, where the program first reached just eight children.
The Imagination Library program addresses a critical need in New Mexico. Research shows that in homes receiving Imagination Library books, daily reading with children nearly doubled from 17% to 33%.
New Mexico joins 20 other states offering Imagination Library programs statewide, following Tennessee’s pioneering 2004 effort.
Watch Dolly Parton’s video celebrating New Mexico:
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.