Today, we remember Dolly Parton not only for the music and stories she shared with the world, but also for her remarkable commitment to helping children become readers. In 1995, she launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a simple but powerful goal: put books into the hands of children and inspire a lifelong love of reading. The program was founded in honor of her father who never got the opportunity to learn to read or write.
What began as a local project in Tennessee grew to reach kids across the United States and around the world, mailing free, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five.
One Oklahoman, Marissa, shared how important the program has been to her young readers: "We are so grateful for Dolly's Imagination Library." She recently signed her three-year-old up, and he gets excited to check the mailbox for new books. The family also visits their local library often, building excitement for reading and learning outside of school.
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Dolly understood that a book can be much more than a story. It can spark curiosity, encourage a dream and open a door to a lifetime of learning.
Her legacy will continue in the stories shared, the books opened, and the generations of readers she inspired. Thank you, Dolly, for believing in the power of books and the children who read them.
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Discover Oklahoma's partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and learn more about the program here.
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