In partnership with
In 1995, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. The new program gave each child a specially selected book each month. By mailing high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, in the children’s names, Dolly wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could ensure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.
Since its launch, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has set and surpassed many goals and milestones, and received many national and international awards. National replication, which started in 2000, allowed more and more communities to adapt the program. Statewide coverage was established in Tennessee in 2004. Furthermore, international growth provided expansion into Canada [2006], United Kingdom [2007], and Australia [2014].
The first book order in 1995 totaled just over 1,700. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends more than a million books per month to children around the world inspiring them to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and be More. In November 2025, the Library will send out it is 3 millionth book in the United States!
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.