The Ticket to a Dream Come True
Dolly Parton is a treasure to her hometown of Sevierville, East Tennessee, the United States, and beyond. She is a worldwide force that refuses to slow down, and her list of accomplishments is lengthy and ever-growing. When asked about her success, she revealed that her greatest accomplishment is not her music, acting career, or even her theme park. It’s her Imagination Library.
Dolly developed her Imagination Library to provide books to children in Sevier County, TN. Her father’s illiteracy was the inspiration for the program. It is remarkable that a child of a parent who couldn’t read or write would go on to be one of the most successful songwriters of all time! Likewise, she is a best-selling author. Imagination Library seeks to raise illiteracy awareness, spur a lifelong love of reading, and inspire children to follow their dreams.
Dolly’s vision came to fruition in 1995 but has since expanded outside the Sevierville area to five countries. The team mails over 2 million free books monthly to children nationally and internationally. Overall, the organization has distributed over 200 million high-quality books to children ages 0-5.
Does your child love books? Learn more about Imagination Library and search for your local program here. Enrollment in this program is free!
Celebrating 200 Million Books for Imagination Library
September is International Literacy Month. To raise awareness and to celebrate the milestone of reaching the 200 million books milestone, the Imagination Library planned a Willy Wonka-style contest. The team hid bookmarks inside 7 random books and mailed them with the September 2023 shipment. Families across the globe were certainly surprised to discover they had won!
The winners will receive a prize package including an unforgettable video chat with the superstar herself, a signed letter, an autographed photo, and 4 tickets to Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN. The winners will also have $2,000 donated in their name to the local Imagination Library partner in their community.
Dreams Come True for Dolly and YOU!
As a child, classmates teased Dolly for having big goals. However, her steadfast dreams manifested before their eyes. She found success in the music industry, which spurred an awe-inspiring career spanning multiple genres and industries. Her empire has amassed countless accolades and has earned Dolly a staggering fortune. However, the mogul’s greatest treasure is where her heart is: inspiring others to reach for the stars.
“I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books,” Dolly shared. “Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more.”
Along with her Imagination Library, Dolly strives to inspire people of all ages with her beautiful song lyrics, witty humor, and glamorous persona. Everything she touches turns to gold including her award-winning Dollywood Theme Park, Dollywood’s Splash Country, DreamMore Resort and Spa, HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, and her other ventures in Sevier County, TN. In every project, Dolly finds a way to inspire others. She’s a role model, a trailblazer, and a beacon of light for anyone with a dream.
Dolly’s Hometown of Sevierville, TN
Imagination Library Headquarters
The headquarters for Imagination Library is in Sevierville, TN. Just a block away from the office, her iconic statue welcomes visitors to her hometown. During your next trip to the Smoky Mountains, snap a souvenir photo with the statue and in front of the many Dolly and Dolly-inspired murals in Downtown Sevierville.
Kellum Creek Business Solutions
The team at Kellum Creek Business Solutions is inspired by Dolly and her commitment to our community and beyond, and it is our pleasure to call Imagination Library a neighbor and friend. Learn more about Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains; our community is awesome!
We specialize in helping small business owners realize their business dreams! Learn more about our business solutions including marketing services, human resource management, and public relations. Contact us today to get started; we can’t wait to help make your business dreams come true!
* All photos pictured here are property of Imagination Library.
Authored in Appalachia || Amy Morton