SAFE EP Holds Forum on Bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Eagle Pass
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Public health advocate, SAFE EP founder and Eagle Pass City Councilman, Elias Reyes-Diaz joined local officials and community advocates last week for a forum introducing efforts to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Eagle Pass.
The event was held at the ICT Center, where Reyes-Diaz presented an overview of the program and explained how providing books to young children could encourage reading at home and support a lifelong interest in learning.
Reyes-Diaz was joined by City Councilwoman Jessica Rey Ramon, Eagle Pass Public Librarian Chris Olivas and other public advocates supporting early childhood literacy.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails a free book each month to enrolled children in participating communities, from birth until their fifth birthday. Books are selected for each child’s age and provided regardless of family income.
Founded by Parton in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee, the program grew from a local effort into an international initiative designed to help children develop a love of books before entering school.
During his introduction, Reyes-Diaz emphasized that nurturing a love of reading at an early age could open a world of imagination and discovery.
“Instilling a love of reading at a young age opens a world of imagination and helps children develop a lifelong love of learning. Through this program, we want to put books into children’s hands and encourage families to spend time reading together,” said Diaz.
Councilwoman Jessica Rey Ramon, an educator and mother, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to place more books in local homes.
“The opportunity for children from birth through age five to receive free books makes my heart so happy. Early access to books can help spark a lifelong love of reading, and this program has the potential to make a lasting difference for families across Maverick County,” Ramon stated.
She also recognized Reyes-Diaz and SAFE EP for their work in bringing the initiative to the community.
“I’m incredibly proud of Councilman Elias Reyes-Diaz for his hard work and determination in bringing this opportunity to our community. Through SAFE EP, he has once again helped make a meaningful impact in the lives of our families,” she stated.
The Imagination Library operates through local partnerships. Participating partners promote the program, enroll eligible children within their service area and secure funding for books and postage. The national organization coordinates book selection, purchasing and monthly distribution, allowing enrolled families to receive the books at no charge.
For Eagle Pass families, the proposed local effort will offer an opportunity to build a collection of children’s books at home and make reading together a regular part of daily life.
The forum introduced the initiative to the community and highlighted the role that local officials, educators and advocates could play in helping it grow.
