The Imagination Library Marks 30 Years, Inspiring a Love of Reading in Over 270 Million Children Across 5 Countries
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, celebrating a remarkable legacy of nurturing a love of reading in over 270 million children. Since its humble beginnings in 1995, starting in Dolly’s hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, this local literacy initiative has blossomed into a global phenomenon. Today, the Imagination Library gifts free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income, across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
Every month, each registered child receives a brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail, addressed to them by name – a personal gift from Dolly that often becomes a cherished monthly ritual. By sending high-quality books directly to children’s homes, Dolly wanted kids to feel excited about reading and experience the wonder that books can create.
Milestones of Literacy and Love
From the beginning, Dolly had a vision to ensure every child could experience the joy of reading. In 2011, the Imagination Library partnered with the American Printing House for the Blind, creating audio and Braille versions of select books for children with visual impairments. By 2015, the program began including bilingual English–Spanish titles, recognizing the importance of diverse languages in celebrating families’ heritages. Recently, California became the first state to offer a fully bilingual Imagination Library statewide, allowing children to receive all their gifted books in both English and Spanish.
Milestones of the Imagination Library
- 2000 - National replication effort begins
- 2004 - First statewide program launches in Tennessee
- 2006 - Imagination Library launches in Canada
- 2007 - Imagination Library launches in UK
- 2011 - Audio & Braille books added
- 2013 - Imagination Library launches in Australia
- 2016 - One Million Books gifted each month
- 2018 - 100 Millionth Book dedicated to Library of Congress
- 2019 - Imagination Library launches in Republic of Ireland
- 2021 - Imagination Library reaches every Province & Territory in Canada
- 2022 - 200 Millionth Book gifted, 2 Million Books gifted each month
- 2024 - 3 Million Books gifted each month
- 2025 - 30th Anniversary!
In February 2018, Dolly celebrated an inspiring milestone by dedicating the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth gifted book—a special edition of her beloved story, "Coat of Many Colors"—to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Dolly joined Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden to read with children and share gratitude for how far the program had come. Calling the honor something she would treasure forever, Dolly proudly placed the book in the world’s largest library, a testament to what community and compassion can achieve.
During challenging times in 2020, Dolly’s warmth reached families through “Goodnight with Dolly,” a comforting video bedtime story series. Each week, Dolly invited children around the world to join her online, snuggled in pajamas and reading favorite stories from the Imagination Library. This series quickly became a beloved weekly tradition, offering comfort and joy while reminding everyone to keep dreaming and believing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Story That Keeps Growing
After three decades, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library continues to make an incredible impact:
- Each child enrolled from birth will receive a personal library of 60 books by the time they turn five.
- The Imagination Library currently gifts more than 3 million books monthly—roughly one every second.
- Today, approximately 1 in 7 children under five in the United States receive Dolly’s gifted books each month. Since launching in the UK in 2007, over 6 million books have been gifted to families there. In Canada, over 4 million books have been gifted to families since the program began there in 2006.
- The Imagination Library now includes 21 fully funded statewide programs across the U.S., with more states continually joining.
Inspiring Families to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More
Dolly often says the Imagination Library holds a special place in her heart. Her late father once told her it was probably the most important thing she had ever done—a compliment Dolly treasures deeply. Founded as a tribute to him, the Imagination Library honors her father’s memory by inspiring children everywhere to dream big and love reading. With the help of thousands of local partners, Dolly’s mission has blossomed into a worldwide movement.
Each month, as children excitedly open their books addressed personally to them, Dolly’s dream thrives. Parents and caregivers cherish the bonding moments and bedtime routines these books create, making Dolly’s monthly gifts a treasured family tradition. After three decades, Dolly’s vision resonates deeply, proving a simple act of love—gifting a story—can echo across generations, brightening the lives of children and families everywhere.
After 30 incredible years, Dolly’s Imagination Library continues to grow—inspiring a love of reading, one book, one child, and one imagination at a time.
Books for Budding Readers
Spring is a wonderful time of year to let your child’s reading skills bloom by opening a good book together! Celebrate springtime with a few of these specially selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this spring.
How to Say Hello to a Worm
This delightful book by Kari Percival embodies the magic of gardening and encourages all readers to interact with nature at their own comfortable pace.
I Am a Meadow Mermaid
A farm girl with a big imagination turns her landlocked home into an ocean playground in this dreamy picture book by Kallie George with illustrations by Elly MacKay.
Baby Touch Farm
This playful touch-and-feel book from Ladybird engages babies while they discover the farm and spot all their favourite farm animals.
New to the Imagination Library?
Check availability in your area to register a child, sign up to receive a notification when the Imagination Library becomes available to you or learn more about how to Start A Program in your area.
