Dolly Parton is sending free books to children across 21 states — and worldwide
Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, has been dedicated to improving literacy for nearly 30 years through her Imagination Library program.
The inspiration for this initiative comes from a deeply personal place—her father, Robert Lee Parton, who grew up poor in the Appalachian mountains and never learned to read.
Parton, now 78, has channeled her passion for reading into a global effort, with over 240 million books distributed to children across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia since the program's inception in 1995.
How did Dolly Parton’s father inspire the Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s father, Robert Lee Parton, was a brilliant man despite never having the opportunity to learn to read. Growing up in a large, impoverished family in the mountains, education often took a backseat to survival, as many children had to work on farms to support their families.
Parton, the fourth of 12 children, saw firsthand the challenges her father faced due to his illiteracy, and this fueled her desire to help other children avoid similar hardships.
In 1995, she launched the Imagination Library in a single county in Tennessee, intending to provide free books to children and foster a love of reading from an early age. The program quickly expanded, now sending out over 3 million books each month to children under the age of 5, ensuring they have access to literature before they even start kindergarten.
How has the Imagination Library grown and impacted communities?
The Imagination Library has seen remarkable growth since its humble beginnings. It has expanded statewide in 21 states, including Missouri and Kentucky, where every child under the age of 5 can receive free monthly books delivered to their homes.
Missouri, for instance, fully funds the program, with costs totaling $11 million in the latest fiscal year. Other states participate through cost-sharing models, ensuring that more children have the opportunity to build their own personal libraries.
In Kentucky, the program has reached all 120 counties, with over 120,000 children currently enrolled. Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear praised the initiative for encouraging families to read together and helping children develop a love for books at a young age.
What legacy does Dolly Parton hope to leave behind?
When reflecting on her legacy, Dolly Parton emphasizes her desire to be remembered as someone who worked hard, made people happy, and made the world a better place. While she is a celebrated singer and songwriter, she considers the Imagination Library to be one of her greatest achievements.
The program, she says, is a way to honor her father and bring meaning to his life story. Parton is determined to see the Imagination Library expand to every state, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of reading.