Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library welcomes the holiday season by celebrating major achievements in literacy while cherishing the gift of quality time with family.
As of November 2021, Dolly’s childhood literacy program has gifted over 170 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. As we enter into the holidays, the Imagination Library continues to embrace the spirit of the season by gifting more books to more children around the world and inspiring us all to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
Dolly's dream has always been to inspire a love of reading among preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. What started in 1995 in Dolly's hometown of Sevier County, TN, however, has now grown into an international program. While Dolly and the Dollywood Foundation cover many overhead costs and administration needs, the Imagination Library is made possible through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local communities. So, when the program becomes available to children in new areas, it's an accomplishment worth celebrating!
Imagination Library Expands Across Kansas
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Representative Troy Waymaster and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet recently joined Dolly to announce that the Imagination Library would soon be available to all children under five in Kansas! The goal of the statewide expansion is to make books available to children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Kansas.
Currently Kansas has 82 programs covering portions of 77 of Kansas’ 105 counties. Once full county participation is achieved, Kansas will join only 12 states and the District of Columbia that have earned this distinction. Continue to check availability as the Imagination Library expands programs across the state!
Kentucky Kicks Off Statewide Expansion
Kentucky families are also celebrating after news that the Imagination Library will soon be available to all children under five in the Bluegrass State! Dolly recently announced the statewide expansion of her Imagination Library program in Kentucky, through funding shared by Dolly, the State of Kentucky and local community partnerships.
The Imagination Library of Kentucky expansion will focus on reaching more children and families to increase registration in existing Imagination Library Programs in the state, while finding community partners to start new Imagination Library programs in Kentucky. Visit imaginationlibrary.com/kentucky to learn more and check availability as the program expands across the state!
The holidays are special for many reasons, but perhaps most special of all is the quality time spent with family. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year to cozy up with your child and read a good book together! Here are a few of the specially-selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this season.
"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack KeatsPerhaps nothing is so magical as waking up to wintery blanket of snow, and this book by Ezra Jack Keats captures that magic beautifully!
"Counting on Snow" by Maxwell NewhouseThe gorgeous illustrations in this book by folk artist Maxwell Newhouse provide a lovely introduction to numbers and the animals of the northern wilderness.
"Otto the Book Bear in the Snow" by Katie CleminsonOtto is a bear who lives in a book in the library with his friend, Ernest. Read about their incredible adventure through the snow as they try to get back to the library for the special winter party!
Join in the spirit of the season and share the gift of literacy with families in your community by donating to your local Imagination Library! A donation as small as $25 covers the cost of providing an Imagination Library book to a child each month for 1 year!
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.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library ushers in autumn by celebrating major achievements in literacy while encouraging good reading habits with a colorful selection of fall books!
As of September 2021, Dolly’s childhood literacy program has gifted over 167 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. As we enter into fall, the Imagination Library continues to inspire more children around the world to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
On International Literacy Day, September 8, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library received one of the highest literacy honors from the Library of Congress for the work it does to instill a love of reading in children. The Library of Congress awarded the Imagination Library with the $150,000 David M. Rubenstein Prize for its work in delivering more than 160 million books to children around the world. According to a release from the Library of Congress,
“Since 2014 when the Imagination Library received ‘best practice’ recognition from the Library of Congress Literacy Awards, the Dollywood Foundation has strategically positioned the Imagination Library for aggressive growth…Although mailing the books to each child’s home is only one aspect of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, it is a remarkable feat that helps improve literacy on an international scale and creates special moments for children and families.”
Another recent achievement of the Imagination Library was its recognition as the 2021 Friend of Education by the National Association of State Boards of Education. This national award is given annually to an individual or organization whose contributions to preK-12 education are significant and enduring. Robert Hull, NASBE president and CEO said,
“The Imagination Library exemplifies what NASBE values: equity and excellence in the education of all children. The Imagination Library has inspired the love of reading in our youngest children, making it possible for children in all circumstances to thrive in school and support lifelong learning.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading and learning by gifting books, free of charge to families, through funding shared by Dolly and local community partnerships. Fall is a wonderful time of the year to cozy up with your child and read a good book together! Here are a few of the specially-selected, age-appropriate books going out to registered children this fall.
You Choose Fairy TalesChildren can choose what's happening next in this imaginative adventure! "You Choose Fairy Tales" by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt inspires children to use their imagination to make up a story of their own.
Corduroy Takes A BowUsing her own experiences as a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, Viola Davis writes the story of Corduroy and Lisa's first trip to the theatre in "Corduroy Takes a Bow."
The Golden GlowFox embarks on a quest to find a rare and mysterious plant in “The Golden Glow,” a perfect book for nature lovers, written and illustrated by Benjamin Flouw.
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.
The worldwide literacy program that many have called “the little program that could” continues to receive praise and recognition for its role in shaping the future for millions of children around the world. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library received one of the highest literacy honors from the Library of Congress on International Literacy Day for the work it does to instill a love of reading in kids.
The Library of Congress awarded the Imagination Library, an initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, with the $150,000 David M. Rubenstein Prize for its work in delivering more than 160 million books to children around the world. The Imagination Library continues to race at an ever-accelerating pace, now providing 1.8 million high-quality, age appropriate books each month to children birth to age five around the world. Dolly herself visited the Library of Congress on February 28, 2018, to enshrine the program’s 100 millionth book, fittingly a copy of “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors,” which is an adaptation of her iconic song of the same name.
According to a release from the Library of Congress, “Since 2014 when the Imagination Library received ‘best practice’ recognition from the Library of Congress Literacy Awards, the Dollywood Foundation has strategically positioned the Imagination Library for aggressive growth…Although mailing the books to each child’s home is only one aspect of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, it is a remarkable feat that helps improve literacy on an international scale and creates special moments for children and families.”
The prize award is named in honor of David M. Rubenstein, the co-founder and co-executive chairman of The Carlyle Group. Rubenstein is a major benefactor of the Library of Congress and is the chairman of the Library’s lead donor group, the James Madison Council. Dollywood Foundation President Jeff Conyers said,
“We are grateful to win what truly is the most prestigious award from the Library of Congress. This award showcases how the dream Dolly had years ago has become one of the world’s largest book gifting programs. She continues to express her pride in what the Imagination Library has become, and she is excited for the growth it is poised to experience moving forward. There is no doubt Dolly treasures being called ‘The Book Lady’ more than just about anything.”
The United Nations General Assembly designates a number of “international days” to mark important aspects of human life and history, including International Literacy Day on September 8. For more information on International Literacy Day, visit en.unesco.org/commemorations/literacyday.
You can 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.
“Goodnight with Dolly” was awarded Gold and Silver in multiple categories at the 42nd Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens, including webseries.
Bringing the “Goodnight with Dolly” to life was exceptionally special, especially during the pandemic. Recognition from the Telly Award honors the great work achieved by all those involved. Dolly said:
"I had so much fun reading bedtime stories. I’m glad for everyone that tuned in to read with me. It sure was a tough year and being able to read to children all over the world, sure made the tough times better. Thanks to everyone involved who made this possible during the height of the covid lockdown."
Telly Award categories included Gold Telly Winner in Online Series-Webseries: Non-Scripted, Silver Telly Winner in Online Series-Webseries: Music, Silver Telly Winner in Online Series-Series: Education & Discovery and Silver Telly Winner Social Video Series-Series: Media & Entertainment.
Last year when everyone was searching for ways to be together while still staying apart, “Goodnight with Dolly” was born through the hard work and dedication of Dolly, Steve Summers, David Dotson, Jacob Timmons and his team at S.D. Professionals, LLC. More than 15 million people tuned in to read a bedtime story with Dolly with each episode featuring an Imagination Library book.
Haven’t watched “Goodnight with Dolly” yet? Or maybe you just want to watch them all again! After all, half the fun of books is rereading your favorite stories. All episodes are still available on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted more than 159 million free books to children around the world. Dolly started the Imagination Library in honor of her father who she watched struggle with his inability to read. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting one book a month to children from birth to age five. Learn how to Register A Child or Make A Donation online.
“The Library That Dolly Built” now streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and Cable on Demand.
“The Library That Dolly Built,” directed and produced by journalism professor and director of Land Grant Films Nick Geidner, and narrated by Danica McKellar, goes behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s literacy-focused non-profit, Imagination Library, to show how one of the most famous and beloved performers in the world has developed an efficient and effective program for spreading the love of reading. The film celebrates all the people who helped make Dolly’s dream come true.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995. Thanks to the help of local affiliates all over the world, it has since grown to include all 50 states and expanded to four additional countries.
The Imagination Library gifts one book each month to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income. Since inception, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 160 million books to children and is currently gifting more than 1.8 million books each month.
