08/26/2026
Like so many people, we were saddened to hear of Dolly Parton’s death yesterday. Her impact reached far beyond music—including right here in Washington County through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
We’ve had a few questions from library patrons about how the Imagination Library works, so we thought we’d share a little about the partnership behind those books arriving in local mailboxes each month.
The Dollywood Foundation manages the Imagination Library program: selecting high-quality, age-appropriate books, negotiating remarkably low book prices, and coordinating the infrastructure that makes the program possible.
Here at home, the Washington Free Public Library Foundation - Washington, IA serves as the local funding partner. Our Foundation pays the cost of the books—generally less than $2 each—plus approximately $1 per book for mailing. That local support allows enrolled children in our community to receive a new book in the mail every month from birth to age five.
For those who have asked about supporting the program locally, contributions can be made directly to the Washington Free Public Library Foundation. Gifts may also be made through the Dollywood Foundation and designated for our local Imagination Library program.
More information about our Library Foundation:
https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/about/library-foundation-board. (including online donation links as well as a link to the Dollywood Foundation)
We’re grateful for the remarkable program Dolly created—and especially for the simple idea behind it: putting books into the hands and homes of children.
