Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Expands To Include All Of Kentucky

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has expanded into every zip code in Kentucky! 

“The goal of the statewide expansion is to inspire a love of reading by making books available to children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Kentucky, regardless of the family’s income,” the program’s website explains. “Currently, Kentucky has 132 programs covering portions of 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. “ 

Prior to the expansion, 36% of eligible children in the state were receiving books through community Imagination Library programs. 

Thanks to new funding from Kentucky State Legislators, however, the Imagination Library is now expanding to all 120 counties in the Bluegrass State, giving kids throughout Kentucky  the opportunity to enroll in the beloved program.

Imagination Library of Kentucky announced the news on social media Monday along with a special video message from Parton herself.  

“A lot of good people are making this happen. And I want to thank the Kentucky State Legislature, especially Senate President Robert Stivers and Senator Morgan McGarvey, for leading the way,” the music legend said. “And I want to thank everyone partnering with us to make more dreams come true for our children and families in Kentucky.”

Founded in 1995 as a tribute to her father who couldn’t read, Parton’s Imagination Library has been mailing free books to children for more than a quarter of a century. And we’re not talking about a handful of books either. The Imagination Library gave out its two hundred millionth book last year. Two hundred million books!

“I never thought about being ‘the book lady,’” she said of her nickname during a Library of Congress event in 2018. “The painted lady, yes, the overexaggerated lady. That goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

But Dolly didn’t slow down there. In fact, she’s been quietly ramping things up, mailing more than two million books per month across the U.S., Australia, Britain, Canada, and Ireland. 

And of all she’s accomplished throughout her decades-long career, getting books into the hands of the world’s children is what she’s proudest of. 

"If I'm remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks but for books," she once famously said.

Keep up the good work, Dolly!