OHIO — Ohio drivers can now purchase a license plate with country music star Dolly Parton's face on it for $35, with $25 going toward Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio mails books to children, ranging from newborns to those who are 5 years old, at no cost for participating families. Last year, more than 4 million books were mailed to children, impacting more than 500,000 kids around the state, according to a report.
The license plates were an idea proposed by Sen. Nickie J. Antonio, D-Lakewood, in June of 2024. Antonio said at the time it was an effort to boost the childhood literacy in the state, citing a study conducted by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which found children who participated in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library saw a 15.4% increase in Kindergarten Readiness Assessment in just three years from 42.9% to 58.3%
In December, the Senate passed the effort.
“I’m excited to see Ohio as the second state to offer a specialty Dolly Parton license plate to support her program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, in Ohio,” said Ohio first lady Fran DeWine in a release. “With each purchase, $25 will go back to supporting the local program, helping to ensure the program remains available to all families in Ohio.”
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library said each plate would support the cost of mailing a child's books for one full year, which is 12 books. Specifically, the proceeds from each license plate will go toward the purchaser's county's program instead of the whole state.
To purchase the license plate, Ohioans can visit their local BMV or online at online at OPLATES.com.
Ohio is just the second state to offer the license plate, as Tennessee was the first, which is Dolly Parton's home state.