What is the Imagination Library program?
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 by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she 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.
At the beginning of 2025, over 4,000 Pulaski County children have graduated from the program and now have a complete library of their own, consisting of age-appropriate, high-quality children’s books.
At present, nearly 2,400 children are enrolled in the program. This translates into 28,800 books mailed over the course of one year, all at no cost to families. Since our affiliate’s beginning in 2013, we’ve delivered 190,000 books to the children of Pulaski County, Kentucky.
“This program is one of the most important ways I know to improve the educational opportunities for children in your community.”
The cost to the organization for each child to receive books for one year is $30, which means no gift is too big or too small. Employees who donate through payroll deduction know that at the end of one year, a child has been sponsored with a donation of $1.25 per pay period.
Enrolled children younger than 5 years old receive one free book each month. The book is mailed directly to the home via the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
2024 Board of Directors
President
Heather Meadows
Vice President
Lindsey Roberts
Secretary & Treasurer
Nikki Vaught
Members
Brooke Bowers, Carrie Altmaier, Phyllis Lawson, Rebecca McCord,
Emily Shafer, Misty Snell, Amy Smith, Amy Stroud,
Jim Tackett, Robin Tarter, Lindsay Thurman