Imagination Library reaches new milestone with 200 million books distributed

The Imagination Library project, the work of country music star Dolly Parton, recently celebrated an important milestone, with 200 million books having been distributed globally since the program began in 1995.

 

The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to five years of age and is now excited to celebrate with every child/family enrolled in the program and its Local Program Partners.

 

Ms Parton began the program in 1995, inspired by her father’s experiences as a man who could not read or write. Initially the program served the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts over 2.4 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world.

 

To celebrate, seven ‘enchanting’ Dolly Parton bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program. 

 

Seven random children/families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive a video chat with Dolly, a personalised signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. 

 

The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to who Dolly calls “the true heroes” of her program. 

 

“I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books,” Ms Parton said. 

 

“It’s been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I’m so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we’re just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.”

 

To learn more about the 200 million books celebration, please see here.