Dolly Parton visits Lexington, announces expansion of her book program
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Legendary Country Singer Dolly Parton joined Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear to celebrate the expansion of Dolly’s Imagination Library.
The celebration aims to help children, by bringing together partners of the local program to supply books to children, five-years- old and younger, across the commonwealth.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has already delivered more than 6 million free books to Kentucky Children, including Dolly’s own wonderful children’s book “Coat of Many Colors,” said First Lady Britainy Beshear who helped introduce Parton, in a packed Lyric Theatre in Lexington.
Parton, the country music legend started the program of “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” in 1995, to honor her father.
“The program happened 30- years- ago when my father was still alive. And, I thought, well, my dad was a country boy, grew up in the rural areas in East Tennessee and didn’t get a chance to go to school, so my daddy couldn’t read and write,” said Parton as she reflected on the inception of the program.
The program, the Imagination Library mails and gifts children books from birth until age five.
“She has shown the world that together you and I can provide every child with their own personal library before they start kindergarten at no cost,” added Britainy Beshear.
On Tuesday, Dolly Parton joined First Lady Britainy Beshear and Governor Andy Beshear to announce the expansion of the Imagination Library. The program is now available in all Kentucky counties.
“The Imagination Library has meant as much, if not more to me than nearly anything that I, that I’ve ever done,” added Parton.
First Lady Britainy beshear also saying, “more than 120,000 Kentucky kids, 45% of preschoolers in our state are currently enrolled in the Imagination Library.”
And while visiting Kentucky, Dolly was honored Governor Andy Beshear, “I believe it’s time for Dolly Parton to become our newest Kentucky Colonel.”
“Dolly, we also wanted today to present to you an official proclamation of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Kentucky month. This whole month, we’re gonna honor the great work that you’re doing here,” added Governor Beshear.
Dolly adding that her father, her hero, the man who inspired The Imagination Library, “my dad was very involved and I would always ask daddy’s opinion. Daddy was really smart. I always wondered what all he might have been had he been able to read.”
Dolly also spoke on upcoming projects, ” I have a cookbook coming out with my sister Rachel is called ‘Good Lookin’ Cookin’.’
While also adding, “I am writing my life story as a musical for Broadway,” she says it is set to come out in 2026.
To sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, click here.
The program is completely free, regardless of a family’s income.
