KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Dolly Parton’s mission to inspire a love of reading in children is continuing to make an impact, as Knox County residents have donated more than $150,000 to the Imagination Library since her death.
Parton’s family asked fans to honor her memory by supporting the literacy program she founded more than three decades ago. The response has been overwhelming.
The Imagination Library, which began in Sevier County 31 years ago, has now delivered more than 300 million books to children around the world. Today, the program operates in five countries and sends more than three million books to young readers every month.
A Program Inspired by Family
Parton often said the inspiration for the Imagination Library came from her father, whom she described as one of the smartest people she had ever known despite never learning to read or write.
The program provides children with a free, age-appropriate book every month from birth until age five. According to Imagination Library of Knox County Program Manager Kay Hurst, each book is addressed directly to the child and arrives in their mailbox at no cost to families.
From Publisher to Mailbox
Every child enrolled in the program receives a welcome copy of The Little Engine That Could, a classic children’s book first published in 1930.
Lisa Vitelli, Vice President and Director of Premium Literacy Sales at Penguin Random House, said the publishing company has served as the exclusive publishing partner for the Imagination Library for 27 years.
A board with the Dollywood Foundation, along with literacy experts, educators and child development specialists, carefully selects the books that children receive. Vitelli said committee members read every title aloud before it is chosen, looking for stories that encourage children to return to them repeatedly.
Illustrator Dan Santat, who reimagined The Little Engine That Could for modern readers, said updating beloved stories helps keep them relevant for future generations.
Once selected, books are shipped to Direct Mail Services in Knox County, which handles mailing operations for the entire North American program.
Hurst said every Imagination Library book mailed across North America receives its mailing label in Knox County.
Parton also worked directly with publishers to keep the program affordable. Each book costs about $2.60 to provide and mail.
Donations Surge Following Parton’s Death
Hurst said Knox County residents responded strongly after Parton’s family encouraged supporters to contribute to the Imagination Library in her memory.
Fundraising efforts since August have generated more than $150,000, including:
- $25,000 raised between Aug. 25 and Sept. 22, enough to provide books for more than 1,500 children for a year.
- More than $109,000 raised during the annual Seeds of Imagination luncheon, supporting nearly 7,000 children.
- More than $12,000 raised during the inaugural “Give Like Dolly Day,” which organizers plan to make an annual event.
Hurst said roughly half of the organization’s annual fundraising goal was met in a single month.
More Families Signing Up
The increase in donations has been matched by growing enrollment.
Nearly 950 children joined the Knox County program during the first month after Parton’s death, one of the largest increases the organization has seen.
Knox County has now mailed more than 4.1 million books through the program.
The local chapter must raise approximately $288,000 each year, an amount matched by the State of Tennessee, bringing total annual funding to nearly $600,000.
Meanwhile, Penguin Random House reports demand for the program is increasing nationwide and that additional books are being printed to keep pace with enrollment growth.
Supporters say the surge in donations and registrations demonstrates that Parton’s commitment to childhood literacy remains one of her most enduring legacies.
