Tennessee could take steps in 2027 to ensure Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library remains part of early childhood education for years to come.¶
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, announced today that they are pledging for the state to pick up the local cost of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library beginning in 2027.¶
Currently, the state, through the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF), and local communities share the cost of funding the program equally, with each book costing about $2.60 to mail. Beginning in 2027, counties and local groups may no longer have to raise funds or use tax money to fund the program.¶
“Dolly Parton’s commitment to early childhood reading has inspired millions in Tennessee,” Sexton said in a Facebook post. “We are honoring her legacy by preserving the Imagination Library.”¶
The Imagination Library
Parton, who died on Aug. 25 at 80 years old after a brief battle with cancer, was known the world over for her iconic musical talents but was perhaps best known in her home state of Tennessee for her educational philanthropy. Parton’s Imagination Library began sending books to children in Sevier County in 1995.¶
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is one of Tennessee’s greatest gifts to the next generation,” Sexton said in a release. “What started in Tennessee is now in all 50 states. Millions of children have been inspired and discovered a love of reading because of Dolly. There is no better way to honor her extraordinary legacy than to ensure every single Tennessee child, in every county and in every community, continues to have access to the Imagination Library for generations to come.”¶
Today, the Imagination Library has delivered more than 330 million books to children worldwide, including roughly 3 million each month. The program aims to instill a love of reading in children everywhere and was inspired by Parton’s father, whose work prospects, she said, were limited because he could not read or write.¶
“Doing whatever is necessary to improve early literacy has always been a top priority of mine,” Watson said in the same release. “Dolly Parton has always been a pioneer in the movement to improve children’s lives through books and reading, and she has left a lasting legacy on the country. We are honored to continue the work she started through her Imagination Library.”¶
