Dolly Parton’s legacy will continue not only through her music, but through a program that has helped millions of children discover the joy of reading.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will continue sending free books to children despite Parton’s death, according to a spokesperson for the Dollywood Company.
Parton launched the program in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee, where she grew up. It has since expanded across the United States and four other countries.
Today, the program serves about one in six children in the United States under the age of five.
Families who sign up receive a free, age-appropriate book in the mail every month.
The program covers the full cost of the books and postage, regardless of a family’s income.
Children can begin receiving books from birth and continue until they turn five, as long as the program is available in their community.
That impact has been especially significant in Ohio.
First Lady Fran DeWine says more than one million Ohio children have received free books through the Imagination Library, totaling nearly 28 million books.
Locally, the program has made a significant impact in Logan County.
United Way of Logan County has partnered with the Ohio Dolly Parton Imagination Library since 2016.
Since then, 201,515 books have been distributed to children in Logan County from birth through age five.
There are currently 1,773 Logan County children enrolled in the program, 4,650 active children in Clark County, while 1,481 children are actively enrolled in Champaign County.
Champaign County has added 13 new registrations so far this week, with 11,571 total books sent through the program.
Madison County currently has 1,789 active children enrolled.
The program costs approximately $30 per child per year to provide the monthly books.
In Champaign County, United Way is planning a fundraiser on March 6, 2027, to raise money to support the Imagination Library program for children in the county. The fundraiser had previously been held in the fall, but organizers decided earlier this year to move it to March. Additional details will be announced once plans are finalized.
DeWine said she and Governor Mike DeWine were deeply saddened by Parton’s death and praised her commitment to children and literacy.
She said Parton’s generosity and selfless spirit will leave a legacy that will live on for generations.
Families can check whether the Imagination Library is available in their area by visiting Ohio Imagination Library and entering their ZIP code.
The Dollywood Company is also encouraging people who want to honor Parton’s legacy to support the Imagination Library through donations.
Parton’s family announced her death Tuesday.
She was 80.
Her vision of giving children access to books will continue, putting a new book into the hands of children every month and helping plant the seeds for their dreams.
