Imagination Library will continue despite Dolly Parton’s passing
by Sara Swanson
On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton passed away at age 80. Shannon Brown, who runs the Manchester Chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, wants to assure the community that the Imagination Library is continuing and shared a message from Jeff Conyers, president of the Dollywood Foundation:
There really are no words big enough for a loss like this. Dolly meant so many different things to so many people around the world — entertainer, songwriter, businesswoman, philanthropist, friend, and inspiration. But for all of us who are part of the Imagination Library, we knew another very special part of Dolly: her extraordinary love for children and her belief in the power of books to inspire their dreams. […]
I also want to reassure you about something that I know will be on the minds of many of our partners and families today: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue.
We have prepared carefully for this day and for the future of the Imagination Library. Our organization is strong, our mission is clear, and our commitment to the children and families we serve has never been greater.
Dolly didn’t build the Imagination Library to last for her lifetime. She built it to last for theirs. That is an important distinction, and one I hope we will all carry with us in the days and years ahead.
Dolly’s legacy will certainly live on through the songs she wrote, the characters she created, and the joy she brought to millions of people. But I believe some of her most important legacy will live quietly in homes around the world — in the moments when a parent reads to a child, when a little hand turns a page, when a favorite story is requested one more time before bed, or when a child begins to believe that there is a bigger world waiting for them.
Every child in the 48158 zip code under the age of 5 is eligible to enroll in the Imagination Library and receive a free book monthly. You can register them online at https://imaginationlibrary.com/ or by asking at the front desk of the Manchester District Library. There is no charge to the family to participate. Questions? Email Shannon Brown at smqueirolo@yahoo.com.
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