08/26/2026
The Lonoke County Imagination Library joins people around the world in mourning the passing of Dolly Parton—a beloved artist, humanitarian and visionary whose generosity changed the lives of millions of children and families.
Dolly founded her Imagination Library in 1995 in honor of her father, who could not read or write. What began as a book-gifting program for children in her home county in East Tennessee grew into an international early literacy movement built on a powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn and reach their full potential.
Here in Arkansas, Dolly’s vision has reached every county in our state. More than 82,000 Arkansas children currently receive an Imagination Library book in the mail each month, and more than 7 million books have been delivered to Arkansas children since the program began in our state in 2005.
Dolly gave children far more than books. She gave families time together. She helped parents and caregivers become their children’s first and most important teachers. Each package arriving in a child’s name carried a message that Dolly understood deeply: You are special, you are loved, and your dreams matter.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dolly’s family, friends, colleagues at the Dollywood Foundation and the millions of people around the world who loved her. Arkansas Imagination Library remains committed to carrying her extraordinary vision forward—one child, one family and one book at a time.
The Parton family has asked that memorial gifts support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Arkansans who would like their gift to provide Imagination Library books to children in our state may donate directly to Arkansas Imagination Library at ArkansasImaginationLibrary.org/give. Donations may also be designated to support children in a specific Arkansas county.
Dolly’s light will continue to shine in every child who discovers the joy of a new book, every caregiver who shares a bedtime story and every home library built through the program she created.
We will always love you, Dolly.