‘Her biggest legacy’: Harrisonburg nonprofit discusses impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library started in 1995 because the country music star and entertainer wanted to help boost the literacy skills of children. In Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, the program has made an outstanding impact.

“A lot of people think of her legacy as you know songwriter, educator, entertainer, businesswoman, philanthropist. But a lot of people, especially at the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, believe that her biggest legacy is her love of children,” Revlan Hill, executive director of the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, said.

Dolly often shared how she grew up very poor, and her father couldn’t read. That’s why Dolly wanted to make sure everyone had a way to read, no matter their financial status.

“So she dreamt of the Imagination Library, and we partner here at the Community Foundation, with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which is under the Dollywood Foundation. They help provide books to children in this community. So, to date, we have mailed almost 150,000 books,” she said.

Hill said that’s 48% of children in the area, from newborns to 5-year-olds, who are receiving books in the mail each month. This week, the organization has welcomed 21 new children into the program.

Hill said that anything Dolly Parton did was special, which makes the books mean so much to families who receive them.

“She was beloved, and so I really think just because it’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, that alone makes it special. The books are terrific. ... As a parent, you can opt in to have your books in both English and Spanish. So that’s great too,” she said.

She said that although Dolly’s death is heartbreaking, just like her music, this part of her legacy will never end.

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, their mission will not change. Our mission in serving the community’s youngest children will not change. We all hope to be able to provide these books for well past Dolly Parton’s lifetime, and she dreamt of that too,” she said.

If you’re interested in finding more information about this program, click here.