Ivey Honors Dolly Parton’s Life, Literacy Legacy
More than 116,000 Alabama children now receive free books each month through Parton’s Imagination Library
Governor Kay Ivey honored the life of country music legend Dolly Parton on Tuesday, praising her gifts as an artist and her lasting work to place books in the hands of young children.
Parton died Aug. 25 at the age of 80. While generations knew her as the voice behind hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” Ivey said her work outside the spotlight may prove to be her greatest gift.
“Dolly Parton was a true American treasure. While the world knew and loved her for her remarkable talent, her greatest legacy may very well be the countless lives she changed through her generosity and her belief in the potential of every child,” Ivey said in a statement. “Dolly understood that putting a book in the hands of a young child can open a world of possibilities, and through her Imagination Library, she made sure millions of children had that opportunity.”
Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995. What began as a small literacy program in East Tennessee grew into a worldwide effort that mails free books to children from birth through age 5.
The program has sent more than 304 million books to children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.
Parton often said the program was inspired by her father, Robert Lee Parton Sr., who could not read or write. She regarded the Imagination Library as one of the achievements that made him most proud.
Ivey brought the program Statewide in August 2023. It is run by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education in partnership with local groups.
The Imagination Library of Alabama now serves children in all 67 Counties, regardless of family income. Each enrolled child receives one free, age-based book in the mail every month.
“Here in Alabama, today, 116,000 Alabama children receive a free book in the mail each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Alabama, and more than 3 million books have been mailed to children across our state since we launched the statewide program,” Ivey said. “That is an extraordinary legacy, and one that will continue to make a difference in the lives of Alabama children for generations to come.”
The books give parents and caregivers a simple way to read with their children at home. The program aims to build early reading skills before a child enters school while also helping families form a habit of reading together.
“I join Alabamians in celebrating Dolly’s remarkable life and extend my prayers to her family, friends and the millions of people around the world who loved her,” Ivey said. “Alabama will proudly continue the work she began, helping our youngest learners develop a love of reading and reminding every child that their dreams are worth dreaming.”
Parton’s charitable work stretched well beyond literacy. She supported disaster relief, hospitals, medical research, scholarships, the American Red Cross and animal welfare causes. Her $1 million gift to Vanderbilt University Medical Center also helped fund research that contributed to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Still, the Imagination Library became the clearest sign of her belief that a child’s future could begin with something as small as a book arriving in the mail.
“Dolly Parton gave us more than a book program. She gave us a mission rooted in the simple, but powerful belief that every child deserves the opportunity to read, learn and dream,” Ivey said. “Alabama is honored to be part of that legacy, and we will continue putting books into the hands and homes of our children.”
Alabama families will soon have a new way to help carry on that work. A specialty license plate supporting the Imagination Library has secured enough advance commitments to enter production.
The plate is expected to become available within eight to 12 weeks. Money raised from each plate will remain in the county where it is registered and help pay for books sent to local children.
Parents and caregivers may check eligibility and enroll a child through the Imagination Library website. Registration is open to Alabama children younger than 5, with no family income test.
