The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is doing more than delivering babies—they’re helping Arkansas families build a foundation for lifelong learning. This summer, UAMS launched a new partnership with the Pulaski County Imagination Library, enrolling newborns into Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library before they ever leave the hospital.
For the nurses in the Perinatal Unit, this milestone is the result of a two-year effort led by frontline staff who believed strongly in the program’s potential. Heather Moya, RN, shared that the idea first emerged in 2023 during a conversation with a lead nurse who was enthusiastic about expanding early literacy support for Arkansas families.
“We’ve been working with it for about two years now,” Moya said. “We were able to implement it in August of this year.”
Immediate Impact for Families
The results have exceeded expectations. Since August, UAMS has enrolled nearly every newborn delivered at the hospital, along with siblings under age five living in the same household. More than 150 families are already participating.
Parents complete a simple form before discharge, dropping it into enrollment boxes throughout the unit. Shortly after, the first Imagination Library book arrives in the mail—a welcome gift for families navigating newborn life.
Nurses say families love it.
“Parents have told us, ‘My kid is so excited to get that book every month—it’s like Happy Mail,’” Moya said. “They’re excited to have the opportunity to read something age-appropriate to their kids every night.”
Why UAMS Believes in Early Literacy
The Imagination Library mails one free, high-quality book each month to children from birth to age five—supporting vocabulary development, bonding, and school readiness. Moya notes that this window is crucial.
“Studies have shown that from 0–5 is a critical time for brain development,” she explained. “By fostering a love of reading early on, children begin school already ahead of the game.”
But for UAMS, the program’s benefits go even deeper.
“If we improve their literacy, we can directly improve their health literacy,” Moya said. “When they are adults making their own healthcare decisions, they’ll have the knowledge to use resources because they’ve been reading—or been read to—since day one.”
A Partnership with Long-Term Goals
UAMS’ program is fully funded for the next year through the UAMS TinyHands Auxiliary, which provides the non-state funds needed to sustain the initiative. Donations are welcome to help continue the effort in future years.
For Moya and her colleagues, seeing the program come to life has been a meaningful part of their work.
“I didn’t think this would be something I’d get to be a part of,” Moya said. “It’s exciting to see it come full circle and know that we’re helping move the needle in the right direction.”
Building a Brighter Future—Together
With this partnership, UAMS joins a growing number of Arkansas hospitals (Baptist Health, White River Health System, CHI St. Vincent, Jefferson Regional Medical Center) working to ensure that every child begins life with access to books, early learning opportunities, and family bonding through reading.
The Arkansas Imagination Library is honored to partner with UAMS in bringing Dolly Parton’s dream to more families—one newborn, one book, and one bedtime story at a time.