09.25.26
Many have paid tribute to Dolly Parton since her passing in August. In addition to her artistry, style, and humor, one of the things that we admire about Dolly was her incredible commitment to philanthropy, and particularly her passion for giving all young children a great start in life.
Dolly created the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who could not read or write. The Imagination Library sends a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book every month to participating children ages birth to five.
While the first local Imagination Library affiliate in Kansas was established in 2005, state-level efforts to expand began in 2021 when the Kansas Legislature named the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to serve as the state partner for the program. Kansas achieved statewide coverage in 2023, making every young child in every zip code of the state eligible to participate. As of September 2026, 80,038 children were enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Kansas. A 2024 evaluation conducted by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research found that program participation had a significant positive impact on children’s literacy skills.
On September 25, in honor of Dolly’s modern classic “9 to 5,” The Dollywood Foundation is introducing Give Like Dolly Day, a new annual tradition to honor Dolly’s legacy and commitment to children. Learn more about the Imagination Library of Kansas and carry her legacy forward!
09.25.26
Many have paid tribute to Dolly Parton since her passing in August. In addition to her artistry, style, and humor, one of the things that we admire about Dolly was her incredible commitment to philanthropy, and particularly her passion for giving all young children a great start in life.
Dolly created the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who could not read or write. The Imagination Library sends a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book every month to participating children ages birth to five.
While the first local Imagination Library affiliate in Kansas was established in 2005, state-level efforts to expand began in 2021 when the Kansas Legislature named the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to serve as the state partner for the program. Kansas achieved statewide coverage in 2023, making every young child in every zip code of the state eligible to participate. As of September 2026, 80,038 children were enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Kansas. A 2024 evaluation conducted by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research found that program participation had a significant positive impact on children’s literacy skills.
On September 25, in honor of Dolly’s modern classic “9 to 5,” The Dollywood Foundation is introducing Give Like Dolly Day, a new annual tradition to honor Dolly’s legacy and commitment to children. Learn more about the Imagination Library of Kansas and carry her legacy forward!