Early childhood literacy and school readiness is a concern in Carlisle County. According to the data center of kidscount.org, between 2012-2018 345 preschool age children met headstart eligibility for meeting at-risk income standards and developmental delays and disabilities. Combined with the statistics that 102 children were born into "low income" households between the years of 2012-2018, community partners in the school system and local government partnered with Family and Consumer Science Extension and Extension Homemakers to address the issues. It was decided that implementing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) into the county would not only potentially supply free books to children under age 5, but will also provide families with an opportunity for family reading and bonding. 

After compiling research regarding funding, the decision was made between the partnership that the Carlisle County Fiscal Court would fund the DPIL for youth of Carlisle County while FCS Extension and Extension Homemakers serve as the supporting non-profit organization. Thanks to this partnership, all 319 children under 5 in the county will have access to free books mailed directly to their homes. Ongoing efforts will continue within the collaborative to monitor and support this program.