Dolly delivered the one millionth Imagination Library book to a little girl from Georgia named Cana Beth Waynick on, December 12, 2003, during a special ceremony at Dollywood. This moment symbolized not only what had been accomplished so far, but also showed the promise of even more valuable opportunities for the future of Imagination Library.
Dolly talked about why she created Imagination Library at the event,
“I was the worst student in the world, hated school. But I got involved in the education stuff several years ago when we first started the scholarship fund back in the '70s. And of course, my folks didn't get a chance for a good education. My Dad never was able to read and write. Had a house full of kids. But he was the smartest person I ever knew in spite of that fact. And I just think I wonder what all my Daddy could have been had he been able to read and write. And of course through the years we've tried to help all the young kids in any way that we can.”
Her Imagination Library has widened its offering to try to reach all children. Bilingual books were added as well as special editions which include reading tips for parents printed inside the books. Registration brochures were made available in Spanish. A diverse group of educational professionals and passionate individuals began working together in their commitment to encourage every child’s love of reading.
The first study about the impact of Imagination Library was released this year. Conducted by the High/Scope Research Educational Foundation, the study concluded,
“Parents overwhelmingly report that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is effective at increasing time spent reading with children, making children more interested in books, making parents more comfortable reading to children, and increasing parent awareness of their children’s reading levels.”
By the end of 2003, a total of 260 communities in 35 states had committed to providing Imagination Library books to their preschool children. The number of children receiving books each month (63,000) was more than twice the number at the end of 2002 and the same doubling held true for the total number of books distributed for the entire year.
In 2003, Dolly was honored with the Child and Family Advocacy Award which honors an individual or organization who has demonstrated exceptional service and dedication in advocating for children and families. Presented by the Parents as Teachers National Center, the award honors Dolly for her Imagination Library program.
Dolly started her Imagination Library program in 1995 to put age-appropriate books in the hands of preschool-aged children. For communities that choose to support the program, every child receives a book by mail from birth to age five.
Other people who have received the award include Carol Brunson, the National League of Cities, United Way of America, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Missouri Senator Kit Bond, Marian Wright Edelman, Evelyn Moore, Patricia Kempthorne and the Albertson Foundation, among others.
On December 13, 2002, Dolly gathered several special guests and important district leaders together in Pigeon Forge, to announce that preschoolers in 92 Native American communities would become recipients of Imagination Library books.
In September,10 United Way organizations in South Dakota launched a united effort to provide the Imagination Library to every eligible child in the state. The effort was launched under the leadership of the Sioux Empire United Way. The Sioux expansion was part of a larger national expansion of Dolly's Imagination Library throughout Native Communities across the nation. The Ferst Books Foundation began to mail books within 8 communities in Georgia and set a goal to reach every native child in Georgia. In Dolly’s home state of Tennessee, a statewide development strategy was also put into place.
On a national level, the sponsorship from the Bureau of Indian Affairs marked a new partnership with the federal government. Once again, there was evidence that this type of partnership would create other federally funded efforts. Education foundations, community organizations, civic groups, non-profits, local businesses and Chambers of Commerce decided to become a part of this endeavor.
This news confirmed an extraordinary year of growth for all. At the end of 2002, there were exactly 185 communities committed to the program and for the first time, the actual number of children receiving a book each month exceeded 30,000!
Dolly and her not-for-profit Dollywood Foundation present the Chasing Rainbows Award annually to a teacher who has overcome adversity. Dolly was the first recipient in 2002. The award is given under the banner of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY), a not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve student learning across the nation by defining, sharing and advocating for effective teaching practices and policies. Dolly’s Imagination Library is an official partner organization of the NNSTOY.
Edna Rogers, Director of the Dolly Parton Chasing Rainbows Award, also was the person who honored Dolly with the award in 2002,
“Dolly has overcome many obstacles in her life and is making a difference in the lives of children... Now Dolly, in turn, gives this award personally every year to a teacher who has overcome obstacles in his/her life and is making a difference in the lives of children.”
Each winner spends a week as Dolly’s guest at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN, and his/her name is inscribed on a plaque inside her Chasing Rainbows Museum at the park. NNSTOY selects the annual recipient.
Dolly was honored on Feb. 15, 2002, with the Galaxy Award, the highest honor offered by the American Association of School Administrators at its annual convention. At the event, Dolly sang "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." The award recognizes Dolly’s work in support of raising awareness for early childhood literacy through her Imagination Library.
In her acceptance speech, Dolly mentioned the things that inspired her to get involved,
"My mother only got an eighth-grade education but she could read and write...My father couldn't do either, and I've often wondered how that affected his dreams. I've always been blessed with big dreams. The Imagination Library was one way that I could give back. I could help children chase their dreams."
