MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — As people all over the world mourn the passing of Dolly Parton, one of the performer’s most lasting legacies, the Imagination Library is being kept alive through a local connection.
The global book-gifting program started by Parton allows registered children to receive free books every month. So far, the initiative has given out over 300 million books worldwide. Local literacy leaders here in Clay County say they will continue honoring Dolly Parton’s mission by putting books directly into the hands of children.
Since 2022, the Imagination Library has given over 50,000 free books to children here in Clay County. Organizers say that number is expected to grow because more families have signed up since Dolly’s passing.
“We have 980 as of last night,” said Pat Litterick, a retired teacher who serves as the secretary-treasurer of Clay County Early Literacy, Incorporated. “But we just got a message today when we looked on our website: 40 children have registered since last night. So people are hearing more about it.”
Litterick never met Dolly, but says she is deeply moved by the superstar’s mission and her Imagination Library program. She sees the goal to inspire a lifelong love of reading in children.
“Her father was not able to read and write,” Litterick explained. “He never had a chance to learn when he was a child. So that’s one of the reasons she started the program.”
The Imagination Library provides free, quality books by mail to registered families every month, spanning from birth until children begin school. To execute this, the program partners with the state or local non-profits, who then distribute the books to the families.
Funding the ground-level effort requires ongoing community coordination.
“Our books cost us $2.60 for the book each month, plus the mailing,” Litterick said. “And over the years the mailing has gone up a little bit.”
Litterick notes that the very first book a child receives is The Little Engine That Could, which was inspired Dolly to start this program. Every book sent out is selected to be a positive one. The Little Engine That Could is sent to every child starting the program.
During the year, every child receives two books that are bilingual in both English and Spanish. Starting this month, they gave the parent an option to get a bilingual book each month. When they turn five years old, children receive their last book, Lookout, Kindergarten, Here I Come.
Litterick’s group currently serves three ZIP codes 32234, 32043 and 32073 in Clay County, but they would like to expand. She hopes other non-profits can also provide this service in Northeast Florida to honor Dolly and keep her legacy going.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of such something so big,” Litterick reflected. “And if people understand how big it is, it really is, it is amazing.”
Organizers state that it takes about a month for children to receive their first books after registering.
To check availability, click this link: Check Availability - Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
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