Dolly Parton revealed decades before her passing that inspiring kids to read was the aspect of her legacy that was most meaningful to her.
The legend who died on August 25 spent the better part of her life building a career encompassing music, film, philanthropy, and literacy.
Through her Imagination Library, Dolly Parton helped place hundreds of millions of books in the hands of young children all around the world, encouraging them to read and use their imaginations.
Parton, 80, passed away earlier this week, following a brief battle with cancer. Her nephew Bryan Seaver confirmed that she passed away peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by her loved ones.
Parton became recognized worldwide as a talented songstress through hit songs such as “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You”. However, she hoped her lasting legacy would be her work to advance children’s literacy worldwide.
According to The Irish Star, decades before her death, she revealed in a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters what she would like to be remembered for in a hundred years.
She said, “If I’m remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks but for books.”
That dream would begin to come to fruition with the launch of her Imagination Library, a program that gifts free books to children in participating areas.
Her ambition was tied to her upbringing in rural Tennessee and her dear father, Robert Lee Parton Sr, who was unable to read, which influenced her mission to inspire little kids to love the activity.
Imagination Library Began As A Tribute To The Country Star’s Father
The Imagination Library was established in 1995 through her Dollywood Foundation and initially operated in Sevier County, Tennessee, where she grew up, as a tribute to her beloved father.
The program sends free, personalized, age-appropriate books to registered children from their birth until they turn five.
What began as a local project to honor a loved one grew into an international literacy movement that has reportedly distributed more than 300 million books to young children worldwide.
As reported by Men’s Journal, in a 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Parton explained her motivation to launch the library.
She said, “Daddy was a very smart man…but he was ashamed that he couldn’t read or write. That bothered him. He felt like he couldn’t learn after he was grown. I remember thinking, ‘I need to do something.’”
Parton recalled that her father “got such a kick” out of seeing the library become successful and little kids calling her “The Book Lady.” She concluded, saying, “I always know he’s up there somewhere thinking, ‘You go girl. You done good.’”
Dolly Parton’s Legacy As The ‘Book Lady’ Stretches Across The Globe
The Imagination Library’s reach expanded outside the United States where it launched and, through no small effort on the part of the book lady, has influenced children in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and most recently, the Republic of Ireland.
According to reports, Parton brought the Imagination Library to Ireland in 2019 and has been “inspiring Irish children ever since”.
Ireland became the fifth country to launch the library, and the program there mails over 1.3 million free books to participating children every month.
“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper was Parton’s favorite childhood story and has subsequently become the official welcome book and the first sent to children enrolled in the program in every partner country, including Ireland.
The Singer Urged Kids To ‘Dream Big Dreams’
Parton was proud of what she accomplished with the library and loved the children she helped learn to read.
As reported by Page Six, the country music legend penned a letter for Imagination Library graduates receiving their final book.
She told the kids to “Dream big dreams; learn everything you can learn; and care for all those who care for you. You do all of these things, and you can be anyone you want to be. You are terrific.”
Parton’s death has prompted renewed attention on the future of the program she created, and the organization has emphasized that the work will continue moving forward.
The Imagination Library Will Carry On Following Dolly Parton’s Passing
Imagination Library partners have responded to her death and confirmed they will remain committed to the program.
For a generational talent and musical legend, her moniker as the “book lady” represents her connection to the millions of children influenced by her to take an interest in reading and become lifelong learners.
The Imagination Library remains one of the most enduring aspects of Parton’s legacy and the program she was particularly devoted to.
Her family members have requested “donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library… in lieu of flowers.”
