Nashville will recognize September as “Imagination Library Month” in honor of Dolly Parton and the child-literacy program that became one of the defining pieces of her legacy.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced the designation Friday while speaking to reporters from Nashville’s main public library. He used his weekly media roundtable to focus attention on Parton’s work putting books into children’s homes.
Parton began the Imagination Library in East Tennessee as a way to encourage reading among children in her home county. Over three decades, the program expanded far beyond Tennessee and has delivered more than 300 million books worldwide.
The Nashville tribute comes days after Parton’s death at age 80. While the music, rhinestones and movie roles made her famous, the scale of the Imagination Library means millions of children encountered Dolly first as the person who sent them a book.
Facts first. Side-eye included.
DJF separates what is confirmed from what is claimed—and tells you why this particular mess is worth your time.