 |
| Dolly Parton’s grand idea has introduced hundreds of thousands of children to reading their very own books. Photo Credit: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library |
Dolly Parton wanted to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families. Having lived in poverty as a child, she didn’t believe that children whose families couldn’t afford books should be denied the sense of magic that reading and being read to can create. So back in 1996, Dolly put her money where her mouth is—in her own words, “With such a big mouth, that’s a pretty large sum of money!”—and dropped a pebble in a pond, metaphorically speaking.
In her home community of Sevier County, TN, she created Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that sent every child in that county a free book every month until the child turned 5. To Dolly’s delight, the program did well…very well. So well, in fact, that other communities wanted to get involved. After three years of building a legion of young readers in Sevier County, the program expanded beyond its borders.
And there’s been no looking back.
 |
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen joins Dolly Parton in reading a book at Dollywood’s KidFest. Photo Credit: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library |
Now available throughout the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom, the Imagination Library mails out more than 500,000 books EVERY MONTH to children eager to learn and discover new worlds.
Today, Dolly still pays all the administrative fees of the program, which includes the book ordering system, the selection and mailing of the books, and other technical assistance. Local volunteer-administered community chapters are responsible for the cost of the books and postage, which averages around $30 per child per year.
Financial support at the community level often comes from United Way, local businesses and foundations, school districts, civic organizations, local government and individuals. These contributions are critical to the survival of this program in each individual community.
That lone pebble dropped more than a decade ago created waves that have crossed a continent and an ocean, as countless children who otherwise might not have had the means now have their very own books that they can enjoy with their families and by themselves.
For more information on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, or to register a child, call (865) 428-9607 or visit www.imaginationlibrary.com
To learn how you can help support the chapter in your community, call or email Christy Crouse at (865) 428-9607 or ccrouse@dollyfoundation.com.