Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
The Dollywood Foundation is honoring Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life and legacy by continuing the mission she built around generosity, opportunity, education and love for children, families and communities.
Dolly’s impact reached far beyond her career as a singer, songwriter, entertainer and businesswoman. She was also a dedicated philanthropist whose personal experiences shaped her commitment to giving others opportunities she believed could change their lives. The values she brought to her work - kindness, humility, generosity and a strong connection to her roots - remain at the heart of the Dollywood Foundation.
One of the clearest examples of Dolly’s lifelong commitment to helping others is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Established in 1995 and inspired in part by her father, who could not read or write, the program began in Dolly’s home county in East Tennessee. Her goal was simple: provide young children with books of their own and help them develop a love of reading, learning and imagination.
The program has since grown into a global literacy effort serving millions of children and families. Through the Imagination Library, age-appropriate books are selected for children and mailed directly to their homes at no cost to their families. The program gives children the opportunity to build personal libraries while creating meaningful moments for parents and children to read and learn together.
The Dollywood Foundation has prepared for the future and remains committed to protecting and expanding the mission Dolly entrusted to the organization. The Foundation intends to continue building on the work she began while staying true to the principles that guided her throughout her life.
Dolly’s influence will continue through her music, stories, businesses and the many people she inspired. Her philanthropic legacy will also live on in everyday moments - when a child receives a book in the mail, when a family shares a story together, and when reading helps a young person imagine possibilities beyond their current circumstances.
For the Dollywood Foundation, continuing this work is an important part of honoring Dolly’s life. Her legacy is not simply something to remember; it is a mission designed to keep creating opportunities and spreading generosity, joy and love to children, families and communities for generations to come.
Learn more about Imagination Library and register your child at imaginationlibrary.com.
