WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An iconic country star’s free library for kids is in jeopardy.

United Way of Whatcom County says the state’s final operating budget doesn’t include any funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.

Despite the cuts, the nonprofit says it will be able to keep the program running through other sources of funding.

It plans to rely on a mix of donations, grants and corporate sponsorships to continue offering the library.

But other counties across the state could have to limit registration or pause the service altogether.

“We are heartbroken to know that many Imagination Library program partners are making tough decisions to limit registration or shutter the program,” said United Way of Whatcom County President and CEO Kristi Birkeland. “In a time when families are facing so many financial challenges, books are often unaffordable or inaccessible for many of our community’s kids. This program is a bright light for hardworking parents and their children, and we really want to keep it going.”

State contributions account for half of the program’s funding.

The Imagination Library was founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 and offers a free book every month for children up to five years old.

According to United Way, over 4,500 kids use it each month in Whatcom County.

“We know our community loves this program. We hear it all the time. Just last week we received a generous grant from Phillips 66 that will help us pay for an entire month of books,” Birkeland said. “Now we just need to keep building on all that positive Dolly energy coming from our community to create a sustainable funding stream for the future.”