08/27/2026
Dolly Parton Believed in the Power of Books to Inspire Dreams
On August 25, 2026, in a time where there is much to divide us, we came together to honor the death of a petite powerhouse, Dolly Parton. Singer, songwriter, actress was how one generation knew her. “The Book Lady” was how another generation knew her. However you knew of Dolly Parton, you knew she was a legend. She was talent, feisty goodness and kindness with a vision that changed lives and our world. One of her many accomplishments was starting the “Imagination Library” in 1995.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a non-profit, book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, regardless of family income. She began the program in honor of her father, who couldn't read or write. Dolly's Dad told her the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing she had ever done. She wrote this about her father in a letter on the Imagination Library website. “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 his dreams.” With her father in mind, Dolly started a small program in her home county in Tennessee of mailing books to help children learn to read and dream.
Inspiring children to read became her mission. She grew the program, allowing other areas to “buy in” to her program for the very low cost of $28.00 per year per child for twelve books. This meant a child could have a library of 60 books by age five for $140. Areas supply the names of children, and her program chooses books and handles all the mailing. Today, 31 years after the start of the program, over 3 million children in five countries receive a monthly book, which contains suggested activities, conversation starters and questions for each of the books. Braille and in English/Spanish combinations are also available to students enrolled in the literacy program.
As a result of Dolly’s passing, in this statement from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, we have learned the following:
“Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will continue.
We have prepared carefully for this day and for the future of the Imagination Library. Our organization is strong, our mission is clear, and our commitment to the children and families we serve has never been greater.
Dolly didn't build the Imagination Library to last for her lifetime. She built it to last for theirs.”
The four public libraries in Jackson County, Maquoketa, Bellevue, Preston and Sabula spent nearly 3 years researching the program and options for finding the right combination of members and networking with additional like-minded organizations to operate and fund the Imagination Library prior to forming an official affiliate for the children of our county in 2011. We partnered with the Community Foundation to manage the money and then Area Education Agency (AEA) to register children with the Dolly program and coordinated many other county and regional institutions. Due to changes in the AEA structure, the Maquoketa Library now registers area children into the program on behalf of our organization.
A local board of volunteers from all four libraries and the three Friends of the Libraries in Jackson County raise funds and sign-up children in a wide variety of ways. The board has also helped other counties in our area to establish programs. Twenty-one programs have been established in Iowa. The Jackson County Affiliate is honored to play a role in spreading Dolly’s good work across our state.
You may have contributed to the local program with events such as “rounding up” at local grocery stores or buying foods at businesses who donate a percentage of sales to the program. Perhaps you purchased a meal at the Farmer's Market provided by the Dolly Board or made a contribution when someone asked you to support this program. Some board members actively write grants and as a result, have received grants funding from a wide variety of sources, foundations, civic organizations and businesses. Contributions have come from all areas in the county and from individuals and community groups. Since 2011, over 115,000 books have been mailed to our local children. Remember, the books are free to all children, regardless of economic standing.
To honor Dolly, we encourage parents or guardians to register any child under age 5 living in Jackson County in the program by contacting their local library or visiting the Imagination Library website. Donations to our local program in Dolly's honor may be made to Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Jackson Co. Imagination Library, 700 Locust St #195 Dubuque, Iowa 52001.
Another way to honor Dolly is to read to a child. As the Dollywood Foundation so succinctly wrote, “Her most important legacy will live quietly in homes around the world — in the moments when a parent reads to a child, when a little hand turns a page, when a favorite story is requested one more time before bed, or when a child begins to believe that there is a bigger world waiting for them.”
The Jackson County Affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library would like to express our many thanks to our beloved Dolly who has touched our lives and hearts. She inspired our efforts in literacy and instilled in us a can do modified motto from her favorite childhood book, The Little Engine That Could, - “We know we can, we know we can, we know we can.”
We know we can, with help from each and every one of you. Continue to support our local program and honor a wonderful women known to our youth as “the Book Lady.”- our inspiration, Dolly.
Linda Stewart, President of the Jackson County Affiliate of the
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Board
Caroline Bredekamp, Preston Library Director, Board member, grant writer and publicist, and
The remaining board members of the Jackson County Affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
