Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program will continue to mail free books to young children across the nation, including those in Laurens County, following the recent passing of the singer. A spokesperson for the Dollywood Company confirmed that the literacy initiative will carry on Parton’s legacy.
The nonprofit program provides free books to children every month from birth until their fifth birthday. In the Upstate region, Laurens First Steps serves as a local affiliate, ensuring children in Laurens County receive these monthly deliveries. The program’s reach extends beyond Greenville County to families in Anderson and Spartanburg counties as well.
Program affiliates in both Greenville and Laurens counties have confirmed that the work will proceed without interruption. Laurens First Steps reports spending approximately $1,900 per month to operate the program, with funding sourced from state support and the Dolly Parton Foundation.
The Imagination Library was launched in Greenville County in 2019, initially serving three zip codes. It has since expanded to 16 zip codes in Greenville County, where over 6,000 children have participated and nearly 5,000 are currently registered. Almost 95,000 books have been distributed to children in the Upstate through the program. Upon enrollment, children receive The Little Engine That Could as their first book, followed by monthly deliveries.
The program was founded by Parton due to her father’s inability to read or write, driven by a desire to ensure children have access to books, recognizing that having books in the home is a fundamental step toward literacy.
Parents, such as Megan Tribble from Anderson County, have expressed the positive impact of the program. Tribble enrolled her son at birth, and he is now approaching his fifth birthday. She noted that the monthly deliveries have helped foster her son’s love of reading and provided something for him to anticipate.
