How Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps millions of kids discover reading

Legendary music star Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. The Queen of Country built an impressive career as a singer, songwriter, country music icon, actor, and businesswoman. She was also a philanthropist who dedicated much of her life to helping others. Parton leaves behind a lasting legacy through her efforts, which include creating a global literacy program, funding regular scholarships, donating to medical research, and contributing to disaster relief and community relief programs. In 1988, for instance, Parton created the Dollywood Foundation to decrease the dropout rate in her childhood home county, Sevier County, Tennessee. She also created the Buddy Program, promising to give every seventh-grade student $500 if they graduated from high school. Each student was paired with a buddy and asked to pledge to do everything they could to ensure that they both graduated. Her efforts reduced the dropout rate for both classes from 35% to 6%. Literacy loves company In 1995, Parton launched Dolly’s Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee. The monthly book-gifting program provided books to children under 5. It started as a local initiative and grew to an international movem…