More than 7 million Imagination Library books have been delivered to Arkansas children since 2005
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: Arkansas Imagination Library (ARIL) joins people around the world in mourning the passing of Dolly Parton, the beloved artist, humanitarian and visionary whose generosity changed the lives of millions of children and families.
Parton founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995 in honor of her father, who could not read or write. What began as a book-gifting program for children in her home county in East Tennessee grew into an international early literacy movement built on a powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn and reach their full potential.
Parton’s connection to Arkansas was celebrated on May 5, 2022, when she visited the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion to mark the Imagination Library becoming available in all 75 counties. She joined then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson, statewide leaders, Local Program Partners and supporters for a celebration that included a conversation with Arkansas broadcaster Craig O’Neill and a musical performance.
At the time of that visit, more than 59,000 Arkansas children were enrolled and Imagination Library affiliates had delivered more than 3 million books across the state. Today, more than 82,000 Arkansas children receive an Imagination Library book in the mail each month, and more than 7 million books have been delivered since the program began in Arkansas in 2005.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy reaches far beyond music. Through the Imagination Library, she gave millions of children the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and the power of imagination. Her passing deeply saddens us, and we take a moment to reflect on her amazing contributions to the world,” said Dr. Charlotte Parham, Executive Director of Arkansas Imagination Library. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue her mission in Arkansas. Every book we place in a child’s hands is a tribute to Dolly’s belief that literacy can change lives. Her legacy will live on in the stories, dreams, and futures of Arkansas children.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue. Arkansas Imagination Library remains committed to working with the Dollywood Foundation and more than 55 Local Program Partners to provide monthly books to children from birth to age five throughout Arkansas. Families should expect their children’s monthly book deliveries to continue.
ARIL extends its heartfelt condolences to Parton’s family, friends, colleagues at the Dollywood Foundation and the millions of people around the world who loved her. Her light will continue to shine in every child who discovers the joy of a new book, every caregiver who shares a bedtime story and every home library built through the program she created.
The Parton family has asked that memorial gifts support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Arkansans who would like their gift to provide Imagination Library books to children in the state may donate directly to Arkansas Imagination Library at ArkansasImaginationLibrary.
Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you.
About Arkansas Imagination Library
Arkansas Imagination Library is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and licensed partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Its mission is to increase early literacy and school readiness by ensuring all Arkansas children from birth to age five may participate in the Imagination Library. Enrolled children receive a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed to their home each month. Learn more, enroll a child or donate at ArkansasImaginationLibrary.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 300 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 3.7 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes every month. One in every 6 children under the age of five in the United States receives Imagination Library books.
Dolly Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
