From timeless hits like “Jolene” to helping fund early COVID-19 vaccine research, Dolly Parton has left her mark in countless ways. But by her own account, her proudest achievement is much quieter and far more personal.
Thirty years ago, Parton launched the Imagination Library as a tribute to her father, who never learned to read. Inspired by his story, she set out to make sure every child, no matter their family’s income, could grow up surrounded by books.
Today, that dream has grown into a global effort. The Imagination Library, a project of The Dollywood Foundation, now sends free, age-appropriate books every month to nearly 3 million children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. As of a February 2025 analysis, the program has delivered more than 270 million books.
The program works through partnerships with local nonprofits, libraries, schools, and state governments. Earlier this year, New Mexico expanded access statewide, ensuring every child from birth to age 5 can receive free monthly books. New Mexico now joins a growing list of states offering universal access, with more working toward the same goal. Overall, about one in seven children under age 5 in the U.S. now receives books through the program.
Research conducted by The Dollywood Foundation shows the impact goes beyond the pages. Studies suggest the Imagination Library helps strengthen home literacy environments, boosts children’s enthusiasm for reading, and even builds parents’ confidence as they read aloud with their kids.
For Parton, the mission is far from over. What began as a small effort in her home county has become a worldwide movement, powered by thousands of local organizations and one simple belief: every child deserves a home full of books.
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