{"id":272297,"date":"2026-08-26T03:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T03:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/272297\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T03:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T03:00:12","slug":"how-dolly-parton-inspired-a-love-of-reading-in-pennsylvania-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/272297\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dolly Parton inspired a love of reading in Pennsylvania children"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s so much to love about Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80. From her music<\/a> and funding of a Covid vaccine<\/a> and pediatric infectious disease research<\/a>, to staging telethons after devastating wildfires in her native Tennessee<\/a> and her candidness about plastic surgery<\/a>, she\u2019s a certifiable American treasure.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another reason to love Dolly: Her Imagination Library<\/a> program, which aims to inspire a love of reading in children at an early age.<\/p>\n

Started by the legendary country singer in 1995, Imagination Library mails free books to children from birth through age 5. The program includes more than 2,700 local affiliates in 21 states, including Pennsylvania, along with affiliates in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. More than 3 million books are gifted to children around the world each month, and children have received more than 330 million books since the program began.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are currently local affiliates in 16 Pennsylvania counties, including nonprofit organizations, regional libraries, and school districts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can see if there is an Imagination Library affiliate in your area here<\/a>. If the program isn\u2019t currently available in your area, you can provide your contact information to receive a notification when the program does become available.<\/p>\n

You can also launch an affiliate yourself as an Imagination Library \u201cChampion.\u201d Any entity or individual in a community can become an affiliate to offer the program in an unserved area. Visit the Start A Program<\/a> page to learn more about becoming an affiliate.<\/p>\n

\tKeep The Keystone free for everyone<\/p>\n

If you found this story useful, would you consider supporting The Keystone?<\/p>\n

Every day, our team works to provide Pennsylvanians with free, fact-based reporting about the issues, policies, and decisions shaping life across the commonwealth. We believe everyone deserves access to trustworthy local news\u2014not just those who can afford a subscription.<\/p>\n

That’s why you’ll never hit a paywall here (though we may ask you to sign up for our newsletter). But keeping our journalism free depends on readers who believe informed communities are worth investing in.<\/p>\n

If our reporting has helped you better understand what’s happening in Pennsylvania, please consider making a donation today. Every contribution helps us continue reporting, informing, and serving communities across the state.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Patrick<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPatrick Berkery
\n\t\t\tSenior Newsletter Editor\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\t
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