Dolly Parton’s father grew up in poverty and never had the opportunity to learn how to read.
Drawing inspiration from her own childhood, the 78-year-old country music icon has dedicated the last thirty years to enhancing literacy through her Imagination Library book distribution initiative. This program has now expanded across entire states, including Missouri and Kentucky, which are among the 21 states where all children under five can register to receive monthly book deliveries to their homes.
To commemorate this achievement, she visited both states on Tuesday to advocate for the program and share the story of her father, Robert Lee Parton, who passed away in 2000.
“In the mountains, many people never had the chance to go to school because they had to work on the farms,” she remarked at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. “They needed to do whatever was necessary to support the rest of the family.”
Parton, the fourth of twelve children from a financially challenged Appalachian household, described her father as “one of the smartest people I’ve ever known,” yet he felt ashamed of his inability to read.
Motivated by this, she decided to assist other children, launching the program originally in a single county in her home state of Tennessee in 1995. It quickly expanded from there, and today over three million books are dispatched each month. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than 240 million books to children in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.
Missouri fully funds the program, which amounted to $11 million in the most recent fiscal year. Most of the other states contribute funds through a cost-sharing arrangement.
“The kids started calling me the ‘book lady,’” Parton shared. “And Daddy was prouder of that than he was of my stardom. But Daddy felt like he had accomplished something great too.”
In Kentucky, the Imagination Library services children in all 120 counties, Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned at an event on Tuesday with Parton. More than 120,000 children in Kentucky—nearly half of all preschoolers—are currently signed up to receive books through the program, according to first lady Britainy Beshear.
The initiative encourages families to read together and enables children to build their own personal library before entering kindergarten at no cost to the families, the first lady noted.
“It’s truly a wonderful way to teach very young children to love books and to learn to read,” Parton expressed during the event in Lexington, Kentucky.
Having received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award a decade ago, Parton mentioned that she ultimately envisions the program being available in every state. While all states have some presence, only 21 have legislation in place that guarantees enrollment for all children under five. She expressed pride that her father was able to witness the program’s launch.
“That was my way of honoring my dad because the Bible instructs us to honor our father and mother,” she explained. “And I believe that means more than just obedience. It signifies bringing honor to their name and to them.”
Parton is also an author, with titles that include the 1996 children’s book “Coat of Many Colors,” which is part of the book distribution program.
As she prepared to perform her well-known song of the same name, she explained that it tells the story of a coat her mother created from a patchwork of mismatched fabrics, as the family could not afford a single large piece of fabric. Parton cherished the coat because her mother compared it to the multicolored garment described in the Bible—a beautiful gift from Jacob to his son Joseph.
However, her classmates mocked her. She shared that for years, this experience was a “deep, deep hurt.”
She explained that through writing and performing the song, “the hurt just left me.” Over the years, she has received letters from people stating that it has similarly impacted them.
“The fact,” she noted, “that this little song has had such significance not just for me, but for so many others for various reasons, makes it my favorite song.”
When asked in Kentucky about her enduring legacy, Parton expressed that she hopes to be remembered as “a good ole girl” who worked diligently to make others happy and to improve the world.
“Of course, I want to be recognized as a songwriter and singer, but I can genuinely say that the Imagination Library has held as much significance, if not more, to me than nearly anything else I’ve ever accomplished,” she said.
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Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. Schreiner reported from Frankfort, Kentucky.
Dolly Parton and Her Mission to Improve Literacy Through the Imagination Library
Dolly Parton, the iconic 78-year-old country music legend, is not only renowned for her incredible music career but also for her charitable efforts, particularly in the realm of literacy. Inspired by her own upbringing, Parton has dedicated the last three decades to improving literacy through her innovative program, the Imagination Library.
The Early Inspiration Behind the Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s journey with literacy advocacy began with her father, Robert Lee Parton, who tragically grew up in poverty and never had the opportunity to learn to read. Parton’s poignant upbringing in the Appalachian Mountains, where education was often a privilege rather than a right, influenced her deeply. “In the mountains, a lot of people never had a chance to go to school because they had to work on the farms,” she recounted during a recent visit to Missouri.
The Launch of the Program
Parton initiated the Imagination Library first in her home state of Tennessee in 1995, focusing on making books accessible to children in underprivileged communities. The program quickly expanded beyond its initial scope, sending out over 3 million books every month to children across the United States and beyond. To date, more than 240 million books have been distributed across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.
Impact and Reach of the Imagination Library
| Country | Books Distributed | Children Registered |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Over 240 million | Over 1.5 million |
| Canada | Over 15 million | Approximately 600,000 |
| United Kingdom | Over 10 million | Approximately 400,000 |
| Australia | Over 5 million | Approximately 300,000 |
Program Funding and State Participation
The Imagination Library receives funding through a variety of sources. Missouri, for example, covers the complete cost of the program, which totaled $11 million in the latest fiscal year. Other states contribute through a cost-sharing model. As of now, 21 states have legislations that ensure children under the age of five can enroll in this enriching program.
Community Involvement and Enrollment
- In Kentucky, the Imagination Library now reaches children in all 120 counties.
- More than 120,000 children aged 0-5 are currently enrolled in the Kentucky program.
- Participation encourages familial bonding over reading, setting the foundation for literacy at an early age.
Celebrating Literacy and Inspiring Future Generations
Dolly Parton’s vision for the Imagination Library is not just about sending books; it’s about igniting a love for reading. She believes that giving children their own personal library will instill a lifelong passion for books. “It’s really a great way to teach children when they’re very young to learn to love books and to learn to read,” she stated at an event in Kentucky.
Benefits of the Imagination Library
The Imagination Library brings an array of benefits to young children and their families:
- Accessible Resources: Provides access to books at no cost to families, eliminating financial barriers.
- Encouragement of Reading: Promotes reading together as a family, strengthening relationships.
- Development of Literacy Skills: Helps children build essential literacy skills before they even start school.
- Cultural Enrichment: An exposure to diverse stories and themes that reflect various experiences.
Dolly Parton’s Personal Connection
During her promotional events, Parton often shares her personal stories that tie into her mission. One such story involves her famous song “Coat of Many Colors,” which she wrote as a tribute to her mother who made her a patchwork coat from whatever material they could afford. Though the coat was a source of pride for Parton, it also came with painful memories of being ridiculed by classmates.
“The fact,” she explained, “that that little song has just meant so much not only to me, but to so many other people for so many different reasons, makes it my favorite song.” This connection between her past and her music further reinforces the importance of her literacy program, aiming to alleviate some of the struggles she faced as a child.
A Vision for the Future
Parton envisions that one day, the Imagination Library will be present in every state across the U.S. Although there’s currently some presence in all 50 states, the 21 states with legislative backing ensure comprehensive reach for all children under 5. “That was kind of my way to honor my dad because the Bible says to honor your father and mother,” she reflected.
How You Can Support Literacy Efforts
Support for initiatives like the Imagination Library is crucial. Here are practical ways to get involved:
- Enroll Your Child: If eligible, enroll your child or children in the Imagination Library program.
- Donate: Contribute to local literacy programs or directly to the Imagination Library to help fund book shipments.
- Volunteer: Support local literacy events or initiatives that aim to promote reading.
- Spread Awareness: Share information about literacy programs in your community through social media or local events.
Real-Life Impact of the Imagination Library
Families who have benefited from the Imagination Library often share success stories about its impact.
Case Study: The Johnson Family
The Johnson family from Kentucky enrolled their twin sons in the Imagination Library when they were just a few months old. Thanks to the program, by the time they started kindergarten, both boys were familiar with a variety of books and had developed a love for reading. Their mother shared, “Reading has become a special bonding time for us, and we can’t thank Dolly enough for this amazing program.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library not only honors her father’s legacy but also plays an essential role in building a more literate society for future generations. Her ongoing commitment to this cause is a testament to the power of literature and the profound impact it can have on a child’s life.
