The Read Seed, Inc.

08/28/2026

We couldn't have done it without you, Dolly ❤

Read Seed president says Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helped it register more than 1,600 Mower County children and deliver 30,000 books since 2023.

08/25/2026

Rest in Peace, Dolly ❤

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com

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

08/25/2026

Did you know that children in Mower County can receive FREE books mailed directly to their home every month from birth until their 5th birthday? 📚

Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, your child can build their very own library while developing a love of reading!

We are also excited to offer a completely bilingual English and Spanish book option! This is a wonderful way for families to enjoy stories together in both languages.

👉 Sign up your child today at thereadseed.org/dpil-signup

Already enrolled? You can switch to the bilingual English and Spanish option through the Parent Portal or by emailing [email protected].

Help us make sure every eligible child in Mower County has the opportunity to receive these free books! 💛📚

08/24/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Hormel’s Inspired Employees for their wonderful book drive throughout the month of July! 📚

Thanks to their generosity, 1,550 new and gently used children’s books were donated to The Read Seed. We can’t wait to get these books into the hands of local children and help them build their own home libraries.

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make this book drive such a success! Your generosity will help put more books—and more opportunities to discover the joy of reading—into the hands of local children. ❤️📚

08/20/2026

We are all set up at the High Water Music Series! Come visit us for some free books until 7pm tonight at Bandshell Park!

08/14/2026

📚 Choose a Book. Build a Library. Inspire a Reader.

Today was a pretty exciting day for The Read Seed as we officially unveiled our first Book Vending Machine at Banfield Elementary School! 🎉

This project started with an idea from a generous community supporter, and over the past several months, that idea has turned into something real. We are incredibly grateful to our donor for believing in the vision and helping us bring it to life, and to Austin Public Schools for partnering with us as we launch this pilot program.

Banfield students will have the opportunity throughout the school year to earn tokens and choose brand-new books of their very own to take home and keep. ❤️📚

Banfield is helping us test and learn what works so that, hopefully, we can bring this opportunity to even more elementary students across our community.

We are so excited to see where this takes us—and even more excited to see the kids choosing their books!

Thank you to everyone who helped make today possible. Here's to putting more books into the hands of more kids! 🌱📖

08/03/2026

🌻📚 August is a month filled with new adventures, and for nearly 1,000 children across Mower County, one of those adventures will arrive right at their doorstep — a new book to explore, imagine, and enjoy.

We are incredibly grateful to the Astrup Family Foundation for being our August Book Label Sponsor and helping bring the magic of reading home through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 💚

Their generous support helps ensure that young children in our community have access to high-quality books from an early age, creating opportunities for families to read together and helping build strong foundations for lifelong learning.

Thank you, Astrup Family Foundation, for investing in our youngest readers and helping stories find their way into homes throughout Mower County. 📖✨

08/03/2026

Always proud to partner with Austin Aspires! They are doing great work in supporting parents and caregivers through their child's early literacy journey. We had fun this summer!