Country music icon Dolly Parton's book initiative, the Imagination Library, has surpassed an impressive milestone of gifting over 300 million free books to children worldwide since its launch in 1995. The program received a boost with a $1 million donation from four organizations - Country Music Association (CMA), Belmont University, The Walt Disney Company, and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). This donation followed the star-studded television special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, which honored Parton's musical journey and her impact on generations of fans. Inspired by her illiterate father, Parton launched the Imagination Library in her home county of Sevier, Tennessee, to ensure children had access to books from an early age. Today, the program operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, mailing over three million age-appropriate books to children monthly. Under the program, enrolled children receive one book every month from birth until age five, free of charge.
In a joint statement, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern highlighted how the performances and partner support transformed the celebration into a meaningful contribution towards children's literacy. Belmont University President Dr Greg Jones emphasized the importance of learning in shaping young people's futures and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate Parton's life while helping put more books in children's hands. Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp President and CEO Deana Ivey described Parton as one of Music City's greatest ambassadors, proudly supporting a cause close to her heart. Jeff Conyers, President and Vice Chair of The Dollywood Foundation, expressed that the donation was a meaningful way to celebrate Parton's life by investing in the dreams of future generations.
The $1 million donation came after the CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton special, featuring prominent country music artists performing some of Parton's most memorable songs. The performances included Ella Langley singing Jolene, Kelsea Ballerini performing Here You Come Again, Ashley McBryde taking on Coat of Many Colors, and Darius Rucker performing Two Doors Down. Other highlights included Lady A performing Islands in the Stream, Carly Pearce and Kristin Chenoweth joining forces for 9 to 5, and Little Big Town performing Light of a Clear Blue Morning. Carrie Underwood led the full cast in a performance of I Will Always Love You, while Zac Brown presented Butterfly in a vocal duet with Dolly Parton. The television special is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Imagination Library, the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, works with thousands of local program partners to make the book-gifting model possible. While the foundation manages the partnerships, resources, and systems behind the initiative, local partners help create awareness and raise funds to cover the wholesale cost of books and their delivery. This collaborative model has allowed Parton's original dream to reach millions of households across different countries.