Honoring Dolly Parton's Legacy
For 31 years, Dolly Parton put her belief in the power of books into action, changing the world, one child at a time, with a simple but powerful declaration: 'You can never get enough books in the hands of enough children.'
What began as a local effort in Dolly's hometown has grown into an international movement. Today, over 3 million children are registered for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library across five countries, and more than 300 million books are mailed to children every month.
In Cuyahoga County alone, 2.7 million books have reached over 90,000 children. As the local program partner for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Cuyahoga County, we are honored to carry Dolly's legacy.
Our work helps bring Dolly's dream to life locally by:
- Promoting the program
- Enrolling children
- Building community partnerships
- Fundraising to support books and mailing
- Providing resources to families
Dolly's legacy is not only measured in the number of books gifted but, in every child, excited to see their name on a package, discover a new book, build their first home library, and share a story with someone they love.
We are committed to carrying this dream forward for generations to come.
Honoring Dolly's Legacy Through Action
Dolly Parton believed that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy found in a book. The most meaningful way we can honor her is by continuing the work she started. Here is how you can help:
Give the gift of books.
Parton's family asked fans to support her legacy by donating to the Imagination Library in lieu of sending flowers.
Your contribution to The Literacy Cooperative in honor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library helps us cover the cost of books and mailing to the children of Cuyahoga County. Just $25 provides one child with a full year of books, laying out the groundwork for kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning. Give the gift of books to our young readers.
Get an Imagination Library license plate.
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library license plate is available to purchase online at OPLATES.com or in-person at any Ohio deputy registrar license agency. With each purchase of this specialty license plate, $25 will go towards Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, specifically benefiting the county where the plate was purchased.
Pay tribute online.
Dolly's fans and friends are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. If you are a parent with a child enrolled in the program, please share a testimonial.
Read together.
Open an Imagination Library book and read with a child. Make story time part of your family's routine and help build a lifelong love of reading.
Help us reach every eligible child.
More than 41,000 children in Cuyahoga County are enrolled, but approximately 25,000 eligible children have yet to join the program. Help us spread the word and connect families with free books from birth to age five. Learn more about partner enrollment.
Share Dolly's dream.
Write an article, create a social media post, visit a pediatrician, childcare provider, or community organization, and talk about Imagination Library. The more people who know, the more children we can reach and the funding to support them!
Host a fundraising event.
Bring the community together in Dolly's honor and donate to Imagination Library of Cuyahoga County to help the program. Contact us for more information.
Dolly gave us the dream. Together, we can keep it growing.
Businesses Honoring Dolly and Supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Cuyahoga County
Check out these business and the events they are hosting. Commune with Dolly fans and support local!
