Upcoming Events with Reading Ready Pittsburgh Upcoming Events For questions about events, email mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org 1/4

Community Partners ClairtonPublic Library Clairton City School District Woodland Hills Impact Center Family Care Connections Phila nthropic Support The Cahouet Foundation Trust Drue and H. J. Heinz II Charitable Trust First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne Howard & Nell E. Miller Foundation W I Patterson Charitable Fund Earl Knudsen Charitable Foundation A. J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust

Get free children's books sent to your home every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Reading Ready Pittsburgh! مكتبة دولي بارتون الخيالية (موقع إلكتروني باللغة الإنجليزية) تخيل كتبا مجانية لجميع الاطفال تخيل كتبا مجانية لجميع الاطفال مكتبك دولي باترون الخيالية متوفرة في منطقة بيتسبرغ من خلال هذا البرنامج يمكن لكل طفل في بيتك اقل من سن الخامسة لن يتحصل على كتاب مجاني ذو جودة عالية و مناسب للعمر كل شهر من يوم ميلاده حتى الخامسة من العمر البرنامج متوفر لكل المقيمين في بيستبرغ و كذلك الساكنين في عشرين رمزا بريديا خارج المدينة، مع اضافة مجتمعات اخرا بمرور الوقتز سكان مدينة بيتسبرغ سجل هنا: حدد هنا لمعرفة ما إذا كنت تقيم داخل حدود المدينة خارج مدينة بيتسبرغ سجل هنا انقر هنا لمعرفة ما إذا كنت مؤهلاً خارج حدود المدينة By enrolling in this program, you can: • Build your at-home library • Grow a love for reading • Inspire your child’s imagination • Can you even imagine anything better? What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income. By enrolling, a new, carefully selected book will be addressed to your child and mailed directly to your home each month. The first book is always the classic children’s tale, The Little Engine That Could. Who is eligible? Children under the age of five living within an eligible zip code. After determining your region, click the "register here" button above to find out if you're eligible! What are my responsibilities? Your role in all of this is super simple: Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by the authorized adult. Notify Reading Ready Pittsburgh any time your address changes. Read with your child and have fun! When can I expect to receive books? Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home one a month. You will continue to receive one book per month until your child turns five or you move out of the covered area. WE'RE ON TRACK FOR OUR GOAL! We are on a mission to boost children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Our goal is to sign up 9,100 eligible children within city of Pittsburgh limits, which represents 65% of total enrollment. We are getting closer! Help us reach our goal by telling everyone you know about this amazing program. CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN PGH CITY LIMITS 4,900 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Need enrollment resources? Click the button below for flyers and sign up sheets! DPIL by the Numbers as of August 4, 2026 PITTSBURGH ENROLLMENT 4,900 OUTSIDE PGH ENROLLMENT 4,308 TOTAL BOOKS MAILED 924,270

Get free children's books sent to your home every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Reading Ready Pittsburgh! La biblioteca imaginaria de Dolly Parton Imagina libros gratis para todos los niños La biblioteca imaginaria de Dolly Parton está disponible en la region de Pittsburgh. A través de este programa, cada niño de su hogar menor de cinco años puede recibir un libro gratuito, de alta calidad y adecuado para su edad cada mes, desde su nacimiento hasta que cumpla cinco años. El programa está disponible para para todos los residentes de la ciudad de Pittsburgh, así como para quienes viven en otros 20 códigos postales fuera de la ciudad, y se irán incorporando más comunidades con el tiempo. Ciudad de Pittsburgh Regístrese aquí ¿No sabe si vive dentro de los límites de la ciudad? ¡Consúltelo aquí! Inscríbase aquí (si no es de Pittsburgh) Haz clic aquí para comprobar si cumples los requisitos fuera de los límites de la ciudad. Al inscribirse en este programa, usted puede: • Crear tu biblioteca en casa • Cultivar el amor por la lectura • Inspira la imaginación de tu hijo • ¿Se imaginas algo mejor? ¿Qué es la Imagination Library de Dolly Parton? La biblioteca imaginaria de Dolly Parton es un programa de donación de libros que envía por correo libros gratuitos de alta calidad a niños desde el nacimiento hasta los cinco años, independientemente de los ingresos de sus familias. Al inscribirse, cada mes se enviará directamente a su domicilio un libro nuevo, cuidadosamente seleccionado, dirigido a su hijo. El primer libro es siempre el clásico cuento infantil La pequeña locomotora que sí pudo . ¿Quiénes reúnen los requisitos? Niños menores de cinco años que residen en un código postal elegible. Una vez determinada tu región, haz clic en el botón "regístrate aquí" de arriba para saber si cumples con los requisitos. ¿Cuáles son mis responsabilidades? Su papel en todo esto es súper sencillo: Presente un formulario de inscripción oficial, debidamente cumplimentado por el adulto autorizado. Notifique a "Reading Ready Pittsburgh" cada vez que cambie de dirección. ¡Lee con tu hijo y diviértete! ¿Cuándo puedo esperar recibir los libros? Entre ocho y diez semanas después de que se reciba su formulario de inscripción, los libros comenzarán a llegar a su domicilio a razón de uno por mes. Seguirá recibiendo un libro al mes hasta que su hijo cumpla cinco años o usted se mude fuera del área de cobertura. ¡Vamos camino a lograr nuestro objetivo! Tenemos la misión de impulsar la participación de los niños inscritos en la biblioteca imaginaria de Dolly Parton. Nuestro objetivo es inscribir a 9.100 niños elegibles dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Pittsburgh, lo que representa el 65 % de la inscripción total. ¡Nos estamos acercando! Ayúdanos a alcanzar nuestra meta contándoles a todos tus conocidos sobre este programa increíble. Actualmente inscrito en PGH City Limits 4,900 ¿Necesita recursos para la inscripción? ¡Haz clic en el botón de abajo para obtener folletos y hojas de inscripción! Haz clic para descargar DPIL en cifras a partir del 4 de agosto de 2026 Inscripción en Pittsburgh 4,900 Inscripción fuera del PGH 4,308 Total de libros enviados por correo 462,135

Get free children's books sent to your home every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Reading Ready Pittsburgh! Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (Página web en español) Imagine free books for all children Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available in the Pittsburgh region. Through this program, each child in your home under the age of five can receive one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from birth to their fifth birthday. The program is available to all City of Pittsburgh residents, as well as those living in 20 additional zip codes outside the city, with more communities being added over time. CITY OF PITTSBURGH REGISTER HERE Not sure if you live within city limits? Check here! NON-PITTSBURGH REGISTER HERE To see if you qualify outside of city limits, click here! By enrolling in this program, you can: • Build your at-home library • Grow a love for reading • Inspire your child’s imagination • Can you even imagine anything better? What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income. By enrolling, a new, carefully selected book will be addressed to your child and mailed directly to your home each month. The first book is always the classic children’s tale, The Little Engine That Could. Who is eligible? Children under the age of five living within an eligible zip code. After determining your region, click the "register here" button above to find out if you're eligible! What are my responsibilities? Your role in all of this is super simple: Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by the authorized adult. Notify Reading Ready Pittsburgh any time your address changes. Read with your child and have fun! When can I expect to receive books? Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home one a month. You will continue to receive one book per month until your child turns five or you move out of the covered area. WE'RE ON TRACK FOR OUR GOAL! We are on a mission to boost children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Our goal is to sign up 9,100 eligible children within city of Pittsburgh limits, which represents 65% of total enrollment. We are getting closer! Help us reach our goal by telling everyone you know about this amazing program. CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN PGH CITY LIMITS 5,481 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Need enrollment resources? Click the button below for flyers and sign up sheets! DPIL by the Numbers as of October 19, 2026 PITTSBURGH ENROLLMENT 5,481 OUTSIDE PGH ENROLLMENT 4,823 TOTAL BOOKS MAILED 462,000+

If you do not live within the 20 additional zip codes we offer or the official city limits of Pittsburgh as indicated by the zip code list below, you are not eligible for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at this time.

Reading Ready Pittsburgh partners with childcare programs and community organizations to offer literacy programs to foster a love of reading with Pittsburgh's youngest readers. Reading Ready Pittsburgh supporting families to foster a love of reading To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Reading Ready Pittsburgh believes in the power of family book sharing to ensure all children are ready to thrive in school. By increasing access to books and encouraging significant family engagement, we work to guarantee that all families have the tools and resources they need to support their children. All children deserve full book shelves. More than 326,000 books given away to date! What We Do B is f or Books Free C hildren's B o okst o re Raising a Reader Dolly Parton's Imagination Library ParentPowered Community Outreach Little Giveaway Libraries Deon's Story Deon, a former professional football player turned early literacy advocate, shares his story about learning how to read as an adult so he could be a part of his daughter's own journey of reading. Our Recent News Halloween Hoopla 2026 Always such a fun time at the bookstore's annual Halloween event. Fifty children came through the door with their family! That's at least 150 books given away during the day, 50 pumpkins decorated, dozens and dozens of cookies enjoyed, and lots of memories made hearing stories and meeing new friends. 1/11 Chelsea Clinton and Lori Shapiro at B is for Books B is for Books welcomed Chelsea Clinton and Lori Shapiro, First Lady of Pennsylvania, on Thursday, October 22. Chelsea, as a representative of the Clinton Foundation's Too Small to Fail wanted to see all the good work Reading Ready Pittsburgh is doing for Pittsburgh-area children using the grant money TSTF generously awarded to us. Both Chelsea and Lori conducted storytime for some local children, too! 1/8 Photo credit: J. Hambrick/Clinton Foundation Magic Tree House Day Over 35 kids came out Saturday, October 10, to help Jack and Annie restore the lost information about endangered animals. We planned tons of activities for this one, and it seems everyone had a blast and got to walk away with 3 brand new Magic Tree House books. And -- most importantly -- Tortellini, an 18 year old turtle, made a special appearance! 1/9 Literacy Under the Lights WOW! What a time at our Literacy Under the Lights on the Steel Valley High School football field. Over 160 children came out with their families over the course of our 2.5 hours. Stories were read and heard, crafts were crafted, tons of brand new books given away. So many wonderful moments we tried to capture. Thank you so much for making this event so successful! And super special thanks to the Steel Valley School District cheerleaders, band, color guard, and football players. See our social media for even more photos! 1/10 2026 Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award! Reading Ready Pittsburgh was recognized for demonstrating how small organizations can make a meaningful difference for breastfeeding families. By providing a clean, welcoming lactation space and creating an environment where nursing parents feel comfortable, Reading Ready Pittsburgh shows that breastfeeding-friendly practices are within reach for organizations of all sizes. "At Reading Ready Pittsburgh, we believe that creating a welcoming environment means making room for the whole family," said Mary Denison, PhD, Executive Director of Reading Ready Pittsburgh. "Supporting breastfeeding parents is one practical way we can show families that they belong here. You do not need to be a large organization to make a difference. Sometimes it is simply about listening, being thoughtful and making sure people have what they need." 1/3 Dells Ice Cream Storytime A HUMONGOUS thank you to Dell's Sundae Grill for hosting Reading Ready Pittsburgh's ice cream story time and free book fair event this past Saturday. Tons of families came through, and, of course, lots ice cream was enjoyed thanks to their very generous donation. Be sure to give them tons of support before the end of the season! 1/3 Bilingual Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Books Get this! DPIL launched their bilingual English/Spanish option in California in June 2023 and now are now expanding into all remaining states in the USA! If you are currently enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, you can switch to the fully bilingual English-Spanish program. Click here to find out how! 1/1 Mary's Essay in Kidsburgh Our inspired and inspiring Executive Director, Mary Denison, recently wrote a wonderful op-ed about the importance of early literacy and barrier-free access to books, and it was just published on Kidsburgh. You can read it right here! 1/1

The following zip codes outside the city of Pittsburgh are currently eligible to receive Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: 15025 15034 15035 15045 15104 15110 15112 15120 15122 15130 15131 15132 15133 15134 15135 15136 15137 15140 15145 15148 15204 15218 15221 15227 15235

Get Involved There are tons of volunteering opportunities for you at Reading Ready Pittsburgh. Look below for just a few of them. There are many more not listed here! Want to sign up to volunteer? Fill out this form , and Mark will be in touch. Build a Little Library If you have the skills to build little libraries, please reach out to help us increase access to books through our Little Giveaway Libraries for young readers! We are seeking volunteers to read to small children in their childcare programs. If you would like to read to groups of small children on a monthly basis please contact us. Read in a Classroom (as needed) We always have tasks that need to be completed like cleaning books, prepping programming materials, wrapping books, and whatever else that might come up that week. Help Around the Bookstore Donate Books or Host a Book Drive Do you have children's books that need a new home or want to host a book drive? Consider helping Reading Ready Pittsburgh and B is for Books! Book Bag Support Do you get excited to organize and laminate? We do! Help us get our classroom book bags ready to go for our newest partners. Purchase Birthday Books Each child in our programming receives a brand new book each year for their birthday. Would you like to help us with that?

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Board of Directors 1/2 Caren Ponty | President Caren Ponty spent most of her career focusing on housing and services to lower income families. She located and established emergency shelters for New York City’s homeless population and spent over 20 years helping communities develop affordable housing in Gateway cities throughout Massachusetts. Along the way, she managed capital programs on Rikers Island and developed specialized housing for veterans, developmentally-challenged adults and wards of the state. Over the past ten years, she has concentrated on community engagement in the cultural sector, chairing her local cultural council and focusing on participatory arts. She has been an active Board Member of a range of nonprofits and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra. 1/2 Mohammed Burny | Vice President Mohammed Burny is thrilled to serve on the board of Reading Ready Pittsburgh! During his tenure as Chief of Staff at Pittsburgh City Council, Mohammed was proud to help re-launch the City of Pittsburgh's participation in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, in partnership with Reading Ready Pittsburgh and the Benter Foundation, and provide thousands of Pittsburgh children with a free book each month. He looks forward to broadening the scope of this program through Reading Ready Pittsburgh and enroll thousands more children across Allegheny County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the coming years. Mohammed is an attorney at Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Gefsky, specializing in community and economic development and land use law. He holds a J.D. from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University and a bachelor's degree in Government from Harvard University. Mohammed and his wife live in Upper Lawrenceville. In their free time, they explore local restaurants, attend ballet and theatre performances, go antiquing, and visit Pennsylvania's many and picturesque small towns. 1/2 Deb Stuligross | Treasurer Deb Stuligross is the AI Literacy Lead at Tech To The Rescue (techtotherescue.org), where she helps nonprofits build the understanding and confidence to adopt AI responsibly. She brings decades of experience in software and IT, now focused on making emerging technologies accessible and ethical for mission-driven organizations. Deb has been dedicated to the non-profit sector for decades, starting as a volunteer in the 1970s. Following her corporate career, she helped launch Holy Family Academy (now Nazareth Prep), an initiative of Holy Family Institute, and has since advised over 50 regional non-profits as an Executive In Residence with the Forbes Funds. Her extensive governance experience includes serving as board chair for Fine Art Miracles and Footbridge for Families, and as a board member for the Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition and Second Shift. 1/2 Markeya Lowry | Secretary Markeya was born and raised in Pittsburgh and has been dedicated to helping serve others since she was a young girl. After obtaining her BA in Sociology from the California University of PA, she went on to spend over ten years in social services. She has served populations in the community ranging from children to older adults tackling the issues of re-entry, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health. Through this work, she has worn many hats, including as a therapist, housing coordinator, women’s resource coordinator, and case manager. Shortly after the birth of her lovely daughter in 2016, Navi Ahavah, she was inspired to self-publish her children’s book series On a Mission. In 2021, Markeya became a certified birth doula and life coach with the mission to empower and encourage communities through her work. 1/2 Christopher Mark | Member Christopher Mark is a mining engineer for the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) at the US Department of Labor. Chris received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University and serves as a researcher and safety consultant since 1986. He is a life-long lover of books and reading and raised his three grown children to continue in that tradition. Chris enjoys camping, running and hiking in his free time. 1/2 Margy Whitmer | Member Margy Whitmer was producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for a number of years until production ended in 2001 and continued with the company, producing live-action segments for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood , through December 31, 2018, when she retired. Over the years, Margy has been the company’s liaison with PBS’s Ready To Learn Initiative; co-creator, writer, and producer for video-based early childhood professional development workshop materials; and project director for two series of picture books, “First Experiences” and “Let’s Talk About It.” Her previous experience includes production and administrative positions at WQED-TV for both local and national programs, including Once Upon a Classic and the National Geographic Specials. A Chatham College graduate and holder of a teaching certificate, Margy is also an active volunteer in community organizations having been a board member and subsequently Board President of the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, steering Committee for the annual Empty Bowls event to raise hunger awareness and an ten year volunteer reader for Beginning with Books. 1/2 Chardaé Jones | Member Chardaè Jones is a writer, published author, professional volunteer, and a connector of all things. From Braddock, PA the 2021 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 awardee has published over 15 books on behalf of herself and others. She holds a BA in Professional Writing and Communications from Carlow University. She is the current secretary for Pennsylvania Young Democrats and the Community Liaison of Barrel and Flow Fest. The former Mayor of Braddock enjoys community advocacy, playing with her husky, all things Halloween, traveling, cooking, hosting Murder Mystery Dinners, and eating her way around the Burgh. As a Councilwoman she hopes to work with her colleagues and the community to revive the parks, encourage equitable development, create more partnerships within the community, and continue to create a transparent and accessible government. 1/2 Karen Lynn Williams | Member Karen Williams is the author of 17 books for children as well as stories and articles for reading programs and anthologies. She received a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and taught in an integrated program for hearing impaired children. She studied at the Institute of Children’s literature and has been an instructor for MFA programs in creative writing at Chatham University and Seton Hill University. Karen was a Peace Corp volunteer in Malawi where she taught English literature. She has lived in Haiti and on the Navajo reservation and has volunteered for the Pittsburgh Refugee Center. When not writing out of her life abroad, her stories are based on life with four children and six grandchildren. She is passionate about nature and the environment. She lives part time in Pittsburgh and part time in the Laurel Highlands. Karen enjoys hiking with her husband and their dog, biking, paddling, snow shoeing and cross -country skiing. 1/2 Denise Dembski | Member Denise Dembski works at UPMC as an RN, an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Instructor and Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) Instructor. She has a history of volunteerism including being a volunteer EMT at the Munhall Ambulance Service and as a classroom volunteer, reading tutor, president of the Barrett PTA in the Steel Valley School District and long-time board member of MUSA. Denise and her husband, Rich Dembski, have lived in the Steel Valley for the past 30 years and have raised their two daughters who graduated from Steel Valley High School. She loves to share picture books with her two grandchildren. 1/2 Claudia Davidson | Member Claudia Davidson is a practicing attorney principally in the areas of criminal defense and labor law for almost 40 years and is an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. A longtime resident of the Swisshelm Park neighborhood, Claudia has served on the board of Three Rivers Community Fund and the Society for the Preservation of the Max Vanko Murals. She is an avid runner and a grandmother of two girls under three to whom she loves to read. 1/2 Jonathan B. Russell, MPIA | Member Jonathan Russell is a nonprofit and public affairs professional with 15 years of experience in strategic planning, government relations, and community partnerships. He serves as Director of Strategic Collaboration and Partnerships at Carnegie Museums, where he advances institutional priorities through cross‑sector collaboration, fundraising, and public engagement. Jonathan has previously held leadership roles in nonprofit strategy, government grants, and community development, and brings a strong commitment to education, civic engagement, and mission‑driven impact. He holds a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelors in History from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. 1/2 DaMarra King | Member DaMarra King is a strategic grants management professional and community leader dedicated to expanding educational access and strengthening community impact through strategic partnerships and resource development. She currently serves as the Grants Manager and Resource Specialist for the College of Education and Social Work at Carlow University, where she identifies, secures, and manages funding opportunities that advance institutional priorities and student success. DaMarra has led several literacy initiatives such as serving as the Lead for the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative at Macedonia FACE. DaMarra has also procured, contracted, and monitored the Early Literacy Programming and Early Literacy Support Hub Funding Opportunities while serving as the Birth to Five Manager for the Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives. DaMarra holds a Master of Business Administration from Point Park University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Howard University. 1/2 Mary Denison, PhD | Founder and Executive Director Mary Denison is a retired school psychologist. She has dedicated her professional career to supporting children and families. She has worked with school-age children with learning and developmental problems for over thirty years. Mary initially taught Special Education for children with learning and behavioral challenges. After graduating with her doctorate in School Psychology she provided psychological services at Shaler Area School District and later at PACE School. In 1995, she began working at The Day School at The Children’s Institute. Mary worked for 22 years developing an expertise with children with autism, genetic and neurological disorders. Mary has 3 children who are all grown. She is an avid reader and enjoys sharing her love of books with others.

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