All articles tagged with #imagination library
The Imagination Library, Dolly Parton’s free monthly book program for children, is doubling its coverage in London from five to 10 boroughs. This expansion, funded by the Postcode Lottery, will make 157,000 children eligible for the service. The move coincides with the launch of 'Give Like Dolly Day' on September 25, a national initiative to honor Parton’s legacy of philanthropy following her death in August.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to deliver free books to children worldwide, with the USPS handling 40 million shipments annually in the U.S. alone. Following Parton’s death in August, the program has seen a surge in new enrollments. In the UK, the scheme is expanding to double its coverage in London, while Seattle is marking September 25 as Dolly Parton Day to honor her legacy.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 931 to designate Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in the state, joining observances in Nashville, San Francisco, Portland (OR), and Texas’ Montgomery and Hayes counties to celebrate Parton’s Imagination Library literacy program. The day also nods to her hit '9 to 5,' with citywide celebrations and a fireworks finale planned in Nashville after renaming its airport in Parton’s honor.
Tennessee leaders unveiled a plan to fully fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library statewide starting in 2027, with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation paying for half the books and mailing and local partners covering the rest; the budget measure still needs approval. The program has been statewide since 2004, serving all 95 counties and cementing Tennessee’s leadership in early literacy.
Dolly Parton’s first cousin Richie Owens, the Parton family historian, says Parton privately faced health issues and chose a simple, private burial beside her husband rather than a public funeral after her death on Aug. 25 at 80 from a brief cancer battle; the family emphasized privacy and her philanthropic legacy, including the Imagination Library.
Governor Bill Lee backs renaming Nashville International Airport after recently departed Dolly Parton to honor her legacy as an artist, philanthropist, and Tennessee ambassador; the Metro Nashville Airport Authority will discuss the proposal at its Sept. 17 meeting. The digest also highlights Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival raising $10 million for women’s nonprofits (with Melinda French Gates pledging to double it to $20 million), alongside other music news including Say Anything frontman Max Bemis’ misconduct allegations and Wavves scrapping Cherry Soda, as well as Expandards’ Fresh Grass/Solid Sound session.
Rumors of a nationwide defunding of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after Parton’s death are not accurate. Funding changes are happening at the state level: Indiana and Missouri (governed by Republicans) and Maine and Washington (Democratic control) reduced or ended state support in the past year, while Nevada did not renew several grants for local partners. The federal government does not directly fund the program, though some local partners lost federal education grants during the Trump administration. Several states have turned to private funding, and Oregon codified statewide support in 2026. Overall, the program remains widely funded and reachable (about one in six U.S. children under age five still receive books), with variances driven by state budgets and private philanthropy rather than a single nationwide cut.
Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids opens a 6.5-acre Dolly Parton-inspired corn maze for September–October, featuring Parton-themed paths, clues and photo opportunities. A portion of proceeds supports Dolly Parton's Imagination Library nonprofit; the maze is one of 20 designed by MAiZE Inc. The farm's hours run from 10 a.m. to an hour before closing, with tickets $10.50 and free entry for kids under 2, plus group discounts.
Following Dolly Parton’s death, a yellow butterfly fluttered across the Grand Ole Opry stage during a star-studded tribute, seen as a sign of Parton’s enduring legacy. Mae Estes had earlier performed a Parton favorite, while Carly Pearce, Jelly Roll and others paid homage with Parton songs; the Opry also featured butterfly imagery in the set design and pledged a portion of ticket sales to Parton’s Imagination Library.
Dolly Parton was laid to rest in a private Nashville ceremony at Woodlawn Memorial Park beside her husband Carl Dean; fans can pay respects at the mausoleum as velvet ropes and guest books were set up, and donations to Parton’s Imagination Library are requested in lieu of flowers, following her death at 80 after a brief cancer battle.
Dolly Parton was laid to rest in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, with her niece Lainey Mae Parton sharing a touching Instagram tribute that highlighted her grandmotherly love and support. The piece underscores Parton’s enduring legacy beyond music, including her philanthropic Imagination Library, Dollywood, and a storied film career, as she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood will host an annual Dolly Day at their Nashville Honky-Tonk on September 25 to honor Dolly Parton, with all proceeds going to her Imagination Library literacy charity; Tennessee lawmakers have floated designating September 25 as a statewide '9 to 5 Day' in her name.
Dolly Parton died on Aug. 25 at 80 after a brief cancer battle and will be buried beside her husband, Carl Dean, in a private service, while public tributes and legacy projects continue: the Grand Ole Opry will dedicate a memorial show, Dollywood will mourn but remain open, and officials are pursuing renaming Nashville International Airport in her honor. Her Imagination Library will carry on, and a musical time capsule she created in 2015 is not to be opened until 2046; she also approved multiple posthumous projects (a biopic, docuseries, Broadway musical, and more) before her death.
Garth Brooks will designate September 25 as 'Dolly Day' at his Nashville honky-tonk, with the day’s earnings donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to support children's literacy; the event, a nod to Parton’s hit '9 to 5', is planned to become an annual tradition following Parton’s death.
Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville officials announced a plan to rename Nashville International Airport in Dolly Parton’s honor after her death earlier this week, with the proposal to be discussed at the Metro Nashville Airport Authority meeting on Sept. 17; a petition supporting the rename has drawn more than 160,000 signatures, and Parton’s philanthropy with the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library is highlighted as a key part of her enduring legacy.