STAR Financial Bank Invests $2,000 in Early Literacy Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

STAR Financial Bank has partnered with the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Foundation through a $2,000 gift to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Allen County.

The contribution directly funds the program's mission to mail free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to local children from birth to age five every month, regardless of family income. By removing barriers to book ownership, the initiative fosters early literacy, improves kindergarten readiness, and builds lifelong reading habits across the region.

Since launching locally in 2024, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Allen County has grown rapidly to meet community needs. To date, the program has served more than 10,000 local children and delivered 100,000+ books to homes across Allen County.

"We are deeply grateful to STAR Financial Bank for their investment in the future of Allen County's youngest readers," said Susan P. Baier, Allen County Public Library Executive Director. "This generous gift has an immediate, tangible impact. It allows us to put more books directly into the hands of children during their most critical stages of literacy development, ensuring they enter the classroom ready to succeed."

Representatives from STAR Financial Bank and the ACPL celebrated the partnership today with an official check presentation in the Great Hall of the Main Library.

To learn more about the program, enroll a child, or donate, visit acpl.info/imaginationlibrary.