Entertainment legend Dolly Parton launched her Imagination Library in 1995. She started early childhood book-gifting program so that every preschool child in her home of Sevier County, Tennessee, would have their library of books to encourage reading and learning. After the success of the program, Dolly decided to offer her Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for replication in any community that would support it.

Dolly recognized the benefit of reading and books from an early age. As a young child, she watched her father struggle to read and write as he worked tirelessly to pull his family out of poverty. This inspired Dolly to create a program where all children could access this simple gift regardless of their family’s income. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library now serves children in more than 2,000 communities around the world including some in Mecklenburg County.

The program first came to the area in 2015 in partnership with SmartStart and provided books for newborn children in the 28205 zip code. That year it quickly expanded to also include 28206 and 28202. Families are enrolled in the program through partnerships with Atrium Health and Novant Heath birth registars. By 2015 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was available to provide books for any children from birth to five in Mecklenburg County. This year they celebrate their 5 year anniversary.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a voluntary program. Parents can sign up to receive a new book each month through the Imagination Library at no cost.

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• 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards – Red Carpet

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

• 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards – Inside

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Katy Perry, Dolly Parton, and Kacey Musgraves perform onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

• 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards – Inside

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Dolly Parton and Karen Fairchild perform onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
• 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards – GRAMMY Charities Signings – Day 4

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton with the GRAMMY Charities Signings during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

• 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards – Inside

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  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus perform onstage at the 61st annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

• Dolly Parton’s ‘9 TO 5’ The Musical Gala Evening – Arrivals

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  LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Dolly Parton attends the gala evening of Dolly Parton's '9 TO 5' The Musical at The Savoy Theatre on February 17, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
• Dolly Parton’s Grand Ole Opry 50th Anniversary

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 12: Dolly Parton attends a press conference before a performance celebrating her 50-year anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry at The Grand Ole Opry on October 12, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

• Netflix Premiere Of Dolly Parton’s “Heartstrings”

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  PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 29: Dolly Parton attends the Netflix Premiere of Dolly Parton's "Heartstrings" on October 29, 2019 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Netflix)

• Netflix Premiere Of Dolly Parton’s “Heartstrings”

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  PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 29: Dolly Parton and Craig Ross speak onstage during the Netflix Premiere of Dolly Parton's "Heartstrings" on October 29, 2019 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Netflix)
• We Are Family Foundation Honors Dolly Parton & Jean Paul Gaultier

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Nile Rodgers and Dolly Parton attend We Are Family Foundation honors Dolly Parton & Jean Paul Gaultier at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

• The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Arrivals

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Dolly Parton attends the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Music City Center on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

• The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Show

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images,)
• The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Show

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton speak onstage during the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Music City Center on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images,)

• Dolly Parton

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  Actress, Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer, Birthday: Jan. 19

• 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 24: Dolly Parton performs at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)