08/25/2026
Today we're holding the whole community close as we say goodbye to Dolly Parton, who passed away at 80.
It's hard to put into words what Dolly has meant to libraries like ours. Through her Imagination Library, she has put free books into the hands of children right here in South Douglas County, sparking a love of reading before they ever set foot in a classroom. That gift, a book in the mail, addressed just to them, has meant everything to so many of our families.
But Dolly gave us more than books. She gave us a model of what it looks like to come from nothing and turn around and give everything back. She believed that every child deserves a home library, that kindness costs nothing, and that you can be glamorous and down-to-earth, funny and wise, tough and tender, all in the same breath.
Tonight, if you have a little one, maybe pull a favorite book off the shelf and read it together in her memory. That's the best tribute we can think of. And if your child isn't registered yet for the Imagination Library, now is a beautiful time to sign them up: https://www.dclalibraries.org/imagination-library
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers to make a gift to the Imagination Library. You can donate directly through the DCLA to support children right here in our community: https://www.dclalibraries.org/imagination-library
Thank you, Dolly. Your song will keep playing here for a long, long time. 💔
www.canyonvillelibrary.org
