Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will receive a combined $1 million donation from four organizations, bringing together Nashville’s music, higher education and tourism sectors with The Walt Disney Company to support early childhood literacy.
The Country Music Association announced the contribution Thursday, Oct. 22, in collaboration with Belmont University, Disney and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. The $1 million represents the organizations’ combined gift.
Imagination Library provides free books by mail to enrolled children from birth until age 5, helping families build home libraries before children enter school. Parton launched the program in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee, where she grew up. It has since expanded across the United States and internationally.
The initiative works through local partners to make age-appropriate books available to families without charging them for the books. Its focus is on encouraging adults to read with young children and making books a regular part of childhood.
The donation connects that Tennessee-founded effort with institutions central to Nashville’s public life. The CMA represents the country music industry, Belmont is a Nashville university, and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp promotes the city as a destination for visitors and conventions.
Families interested in participating can visit the Imagination Library’s official website to check availability in their community and find enrollment information.