Will Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Continue?

The world lost a true icon, Dolly Parton, but her legacy will continue through her Imagination Library.

Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday, August 26th. She was one of the most iconic singer-songwriters of all time. Her contributions to the world of music were endless. However, it was her contributions to the youth that really filled her cup of ambition.

Back in 1995, Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library program. After launching, the program grew quickly. First, books were only distributed to children living in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Dolly grew up. Throughout the years, books were delivered once a month to children from birth to age five who had signed up for the program all over the country. After the United States, the program launched in Canada in 2006, followed by the United Kingdom in 2007, Australia in 2013, and the Republic of Ireland in 2019. Just to show how big the Imagination Library is, 332,411,218 books have been gifted since the Imagination Library's inception.

It's truly a wonderful program that my daughter is enrolled in. Seeing her light up when "Aunt Dolly" sends her a new book for us to read each month is so special. My daughter has really learned a lot thanks to these books. Reading at a young age for children has so many benefits, including:

Grows the imagination and creativity
Builds close relationships
Develops problem-solving skills
Builds a child’s vocabulary
Children are ready to read and think

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The Future of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Much like Dolly's theme park in Tennessee, when it comes to the Imagination Library, the show must go on. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library issued a statement regarding the passing of its founder and the organization's future. In the post, the Imagination Library says:

The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next.

For decades, Dolly and the team at The Dollywood Foundation — home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library — worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will.

The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up.

While Dolly may no longer be with us, her legacy, philanthropy, and the joy of reading will continue to live on in her honor. If you would like to register your child to receive these free books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com to find a program near you.