Dolly Parton’s legacy lives on through book deliveries to kids

In the small town of Dolly Parton's birthplace, Tennessee, a program initiated by the country music icon to foster a love for reading among children has spread far beyond its origins. Beginning as a local endeavor, the Imagination Library now reaches children across five countries, delivering more than 300 million free books to infants and toddlers annually.

For families like the Dockerys in Georgia, the program has become a cherished tradition. Since the birth of her children, Simon Dockery and Samuel Dockery, Olivia Dockery eagerly awaits the arrival of new books each month, expecting her youngest, Samuel, to receive his first book as well. "It's so exciting and for our family it was like a launch point for just the love of books," Dockery shared, noting that the initiative helped instill a passion for literature in her children. "Each month, the oldest looks forward to going to the mailbox and getting that book out."

Dolly Parton, who passed away at 80, founded the Imagination Library in 1995, driven by her own father's inability to read or write. The program's selection process ensures age-appropriate materials, personalized with each child's name, and delivered directly to their homes, making the anticipation of a new book a special event.

In Washington, D.C., the program has positively impacted over 100,000 children, thanks to a collaborative effort with the Imagination Library and the DC Public Library, according to DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan.

Parents like Shami Chimonyo, who enrolled her 7-month-old daughter shortly after birth, appreciate the high-quality content of the books, which she finds to be well-written and visually engaging for young learners. "It's just a treat that we're looking forward to continue having and receiving," Chimonyo remarked, emphasizing the program's role in combating declining literacy rates.