Education & Youth
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to continue after death
Dolly Parton's nonprofit foundation is committed to keeping the Imagination Library going after her death, preserving a childhood literacy programme that has sent free books to millions of children.
Parton died this week at age 80 and has been mourned in her Tennessee hometown of Sevierville, where families left flowers and some Imagination Library books at a makeshift memorial.
The programme sends books by mail for free from birth until age five. It began in 1995 as a giveaway of 6,000 books to children in need and has grown into an operation involving hundreds of local groups and multiple publishers.
Eugene Naughton, treasurer of the Dollywood Foundation, said the programme now gives away 3.4 million books a month to children up to age five. The Imagination Library says it has gifted 300 million books since it began and has expanded to Australia, Britain, Canada and Ireland, as well as across the United States.
Parton said she set up the programme because her father grew up unable to read in rural Tennessee, something she said probably kept him from seeing all his dreams come true.
At the Sevierville memorial, families described the books as a major part of their children's early reading. Zenaida, a nine-year-old girl, said Parton's books were the first books she learned to read. Kendal Manning, a 41-year-old theater performer, said her two young sons had received the books since birth.
Parton was globally known for a six-decade music career that included “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5.” In east Tennessee, residents also remembered her philanthropy, the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge and her support for younger generations in the region.
Earlier mourners gathered at Parton's statue outside the Sevier County Courthouse and at Dollywood. A private funeral is expected for family and close friends, followed by at least one public service in Nashville or Sevierville.
Update
Parton's nonprofit foundation is committed to keeping the Imagination Library book donation programme going.
The programme began in 1995 with 6,000 books and now gives away 3.4 million books a month to children up to age five, according to Dollywood Foundation treasurer Eugene Naughton.
The Imagination Library says it has gifted 300 million books since it began.
The programme has expanded to Australia, Britain, Canada and Ireland, as well as across the United States.
Families at a makeshift memorial in Parton's hometown described the programme's effect on their children.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 15:15:12 UTC.
Update
Hundreds of people gathered in Sevierville, Tennessee, after Dolly Parton's death to leave flowers at her statue outside the Sevier County Courthouse.
Local residents described Parton's importance to East Tennessee, including her philanthropy, Dollywood and the Imagination Library.
A private funeral is expected for family and close friends, followed by at least one public service in Nashville or Sevierville.
Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Jack White and others were reported as paying tribute to Parton.
Source note: AFP news report published on 26 August 2026 at 04:46:09 UTC.
Update
LGBTQ fans gathered at a Washington gay bar to honor Dolly Parton after her death.
Cameron Austin, an east Tennessee native, said Parton had been with him from the start and was always there for him.
Parton was described as an ally to gay and lesbian fans, including through public comments about acceptance and affection for drag performers.
Her 1991 song “Family” called for gay tolerance during the AIDS crisis.
Brigitte Bandit said Parton sent her a rhinestone-decorated acoustic guitar after Bandit testified against Texas drag legislation using a children's book about Parton.
Source note: AFP news report published on 26 August 2026 at 04:13:02 UTC.
Update
President Donald Trump ordered US flags lowered for a week for Dolly Parton.
Trump called Parton's death a true loss for millions of people.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 18:44:41 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Details and timing of the expected public memorial service have not been specified.
Source
AFP news report published on .