Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Celebrates 200 Million Books Gifted to Children

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has been providing free reading materials for growing children since 1995.

A major milestone has just been reached by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Each month, the Imagination Library gives one free book to children from birth to age five. It has been announced that the program has now gifted more than 200 million books to young readers since its inception in 1995. In honor of the occasion, exclusive Dolly Parton bookmarks will be randomly placed in Imagination Library books that will be mailed out in September, which is International Literacy Month. These bookmarks will be mailed out to seven recipients in five different countries.

The seven random families to receive the Dolly bookmarks will receive, if they accept, a video chat with Parton herself. Also included will be a personalized signed letter from Dolly Parton, an autographed photo, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP on behalf of the recipient to their local Imagination Library partner as a "thank you to who Dolly calls the true heroes of her program."

"I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books," Parton said in a statement. "It's been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I'm so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we're just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more."

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Reaches A Major Milestone

Parton was inspired to launch the program by her father's inability to read or write. It was initially launched in her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee, before eventually going on to expand across five countries. The program is open to all children under the age of five who reside in the areas served by the Imagination Library, and there will never be a charge to any families with children taking part.

"It is time to celebrate another milesstone of my Imagination Library," Parton also says in a new video announcing the news. "What's even more amazing is that only five short years ago, we celebrated 100 million books. I can't hardly keep up!"

She added, "But, seriously, I want to thank everyone who has supported my Imagination Library over the years. Now, we keep dreaming big, and I am so happy that the Imagination Library is reaching so many children, and I know my daddy would be proud."

To potentially receive the book in September that might include the special Dolly bookmark, children will need to be enrolled in the program by July 31, 2023. You can find out more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library by visiting the official website.