Dolly Parton will be remembered for many things, but the impact her Imagination Library had is remarkable
Since news of her death broke yesterday evening, millions of tributes have been paid to Dolly Parton. Many shared their favourite songs; others posted clips from her movies, and many shared quotes from the singer that stuck with them through the years.
However, it was Dolly Parton’s love of books that I’ll remember her for. Not only was Parton a dedicated reader herself, but she understood the power of reading and the impeccable impact the right book can have on a child.
The Imagination Library launched in 1995 and has gifted more than 300 million free books to children around the world, including over 400,000 here in Ireland.
Parton introduced the Imagination Library in Ireland in 2019 and has helped bring the magic of reading into an unimaginable number of Irish homes over the last seven years.
The Imagination Library posts one book to children in Ireland every single month until they turn five years old. It may seem like a simple thing to receive a book, but the impact reading has on children is something that shouldn’t be sniffed at. It helps them develop their imagination, it makes them feel less alone, it develops their communication skills; but most importantly, it offers them a form of escapism.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the Imagination Library, Parton said she created it as a tribute to her father.
“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission”
“Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known, but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.
“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county, but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 3 million children.”
She may have written some of the most beautiful songs of our time and dazzled in many movies on screen, but giving the gift of reading to millions of children around the world is Parton’s biggest accolade, and something I’ll always love her for.
In her memory, many fans have been making donations to the Imagination Library to continue Dolly Parton’s legacy. I think it’s the most perfect way to pay tribute to a reader who helped change the world for the better.
