Sevier County, Tennessee, United States
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The literacy nonprofit founded by Dolly Parton has surpassed a major milestone, delivering more than 200 million free books to children worldwide, the organization said this week. The Imagination Library, launched in 1995 in Tennessee, mails age-appropriate books monthly to enrolled children from birth to age five, aiming to improve early childhood literacy regardless of family income.
The milestone was confirmed by the Dollywood Foundation, which administers the program, according to a statement released by the organization. The foundation said the total reflects cumulative deliveries across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
Dolly Parton created the program in honor of her father, who was unable to read or write, and has frequently cited early access to books as a critical factor in long-term educational outcomes. The program began as a local initiative in Sevier County, Tennessee, before expanding nationally and then internationally through partnerships with governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations.
Officials said the Imagination Library now distributes millions of books each month, with local affiliates funding the cost of books and mailing in their communities. Research cited by the foundation indicates participating children show higher readiness scores when entering kindergarten compared with peers without access to the program.
In a statement, Dolly Parton said the milestone reflected the power of imagination and learning, while emphasizing that access to books should not depend on a child’s ZIP code. The foundation noted that the program’s growth has accelerated in recent years through expanded public-private partnerships.
The organization said it plans to continue scaling the program, with additional regional expansions under discussion and a continued focus on reaching underserved communities. The story is developing.
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