The death of Dolly Parton this week is being felt in a big way in country music — but also in other areas.
Parton’s Imagination Library has been part of the United Way of the Flint Hills operations since 2014. In a statement Wednesday, Executive Director Whitney Johnson says Parton “used her platform and celebrity to create so meaningful and lasting gifts for the world,” including the Imagination Library, which Johnson called “one example of her extraordinary vision and generosity.”
Parton’s passing does not mean the end of the Imagination Library, either worldwide, nationally or locally. Johnson says, “United Way of the Flint Hills is proud to help carry that legacy forward by supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our community and working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn and dream with a book in their hands.”
The Imagination Library program gives books at no cost to children up to age 5. Since it began in 1995, it has been responsible for giving away more than 330 million books worldwide. Since it started locally, Johnson says the total is now over 200,000 books, an average of 1,800 per month.
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Flags will be at half-staff nationwide through sunset Tuesday.
2:45 pm Tuesday: More than just a singer: Dolly Parton to be remembered for contributions to youth literacy in addition to timeless hits in wake of passing
The namesake of one of the United Way of the Flint Hills’ most notable programs and world-renowned singer Dolly Parton has passed.
Parton passed away Tuesday at the age of 80. In addition to her stature as one of the most recognizable voices in country music history, Parton was also well known for her dedication to literacy through the establishment of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a program that has become synonymous with the United Way, especially in the Flint Hills area.
2026 marks the 31st year of the Imagination Library program, which is dedicated to inspiring a passion for reading by providing free books to children from birth to age five. A quote from Parton on the Imagination Library website illustrated one of the core values behind the program’s establishment:
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
Locally, Dolly’s image has been a regular sight at community events as the United Way of the Flint Hills is known for traveling with a life-sized cutout of Parton to help raise awareness of the Imagination Library program.
Since its inception, the Imagination Library has had more than 3.1 million kids registered and more than 332 million books gifted. KVOE News has reached out to the United Way of the Flint Hills for comment on the program and Parton’s legacy through it.
