Dolly Parton family asks donations to Imagination Library in lieu of flowers

booksAug 26, 2026571,408

Dolly Parton’s family asked mourners to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers, directing people to the charity’s website. The Imagination Library marked 20 years in Canada on June 26 and has mailed more than 5 million books to Canadian children since launching there in 2006, delivering about 60,000 books to mailboxes each month through more than 400 local program partners. The program sends one free, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth to age five and has expanded its Canadian collection to highlight Indigenous voices and diverse stories. Independent research cited by the program found children enrolled were 13 times more likely to be read to four or more days a week, 11 times more likely to initiate shared reading, and seven times more likely to show expressive vocabulary gains compared with children not enrolled. One Big Celebration of Reading on June 26 brought read-aloud events and family literacy activities to communities across Canada. The program has also faced recent funding challenges, with a report that one US state’s funding cut caused a $4 million loss for the Imagination Library.

HANGMAN PAGE

@hangmanpage.bsky.social

there’s nothin im gonna be able to say about Dolly Parton that you don’t already know. she is an inspiration. my kids have loved getting books in the mail from Dolly. you can donate to her imagination library here: donate.imaginationlibrary.com

3974h ago

Farad Thee Sexy Stallion8

We need a ten bell salute for Dolly on Dynamite.

Claire3

I too have one question for god: why take Dolly, who was surely making a difference in a good way, and bringing joy to millions, and not ****face in the White House, who is also making a difference, but not in a good way? 🙄

Stalin Kay1

Her legacy shows what influence can become when it turns into access: music that lifts people, plus books reaching children who might otherwise miss them.

Maxi Molina

@maximjdev.bsky.social

Dolly Parton was my literal dream of "If I get big money one day I'm just going to take what I need to live happy and spend the rest of it making everyone else happy making their projects true" She shouldn't be the exception, she should be the standard we hold everyone else up to

1443h ago

Barnaby Edwards

@barnabyedwards.bsky.social

One of my favourite Dolly Parton stories. Chatting to one of her employees one day, she asked why he’d decided to work at Dollywood. To fund his education, he said. She immediately paid 100% of his college fees & then offered the same deal to all 11,000 employees. www.upworthy.com/dollywood-co...

1134h ago

ishmael-sheo.bsky.social

@ishmael-sheo.bsky.social

This is the letter they get from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library when they grow out of the program. Through Dolly's initiative, each child is mailed free books from birth until they start school. RIP Dolly Parton #ImaginationLibrary

974h ago

NBC4 Washington

@nbcwashington.com

For decades, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been putting free books into the hands of children nationwide, including in the D.C. area. News4 looks at Parton’s lasting legacy of literacy.

627h ago

Naolin Davis

@naolindavis.art

There's something wrong with the universe when one of the most genuine, altruistic, inspirational and talented people passes away because of a horrible disease, while certain cruel people continue living freely, untouched by pain and corruption they cause in the world. Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.

704h ago

Massimo (mirror)

@rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social

Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who couldn't read or write. In 2018, she explained it was to give kids "early access to books". Now, over 325 million books have been gifted. Original post

515h ago

Ms B Moran

@msbmoran.bsky.social

If you’d like to honor Dolly’s memory, visit imaginationlibrary.com You can also sign up a child for free books there. 🩷🎼✨🌸

304h ago

Glennyrodge

@glennyrodge.bsky.social

People are posting names of people who should have died instead of Dolly Parton. I mean, each to their own, but I bet Dolly wouldn’t have done that.

514h ago

VSTN PNCE1

That’s a very good point 🫡

Wendy

@wednesdaygj.bsky.social

It says: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue. We have prepared carefully for this day…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.

344h ago

Piet Vervaecke

@pietvervaecke.bsky.social

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.

276h ago

Ruth Watson

@ruthwatson.eurosky.social

In a world where powerful people use their platform to punch down, Dolly Parton used her voice to speak up for love, kindness, and understanding. Be more like Dolly.

234h ago

Georgia Dunn

@georgiadunnbcn.bsky.social

Little girls of all ages are brokenhearted tonight 😔💖 (and everyone else too) I painted this Dolly Parton illustration for my daughter tonight. An angel went home today. 💖