The Indy Star reported that the program “has been hailed as helping to raise Indiana’s child literacy ranking from 19th to 6th place nationwide.” The newspaper reported that Indiana was funding a 50% match of funds for the program with the United Way and community foundations financing the other 50%.

Outlets reported that Dolly Parton pleaded with Gov. Mike Braun to not cut funding for Indiana's Imagination Library. That's not quite what happened.