Connecticut Legislators, United Way Advocate for Support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Hartford, Conn. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, locally operated by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, is encouraging public support for the book initiative following the passing of the performer. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails free, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Locally, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut manages the initiative in Hartford and New Britain and is also urging policymakers to keep this initiative top-of-mind when making future decisions about the state budget. 

“While we mourn the significant loss of Dolly Parton, the best way we can honor her legacy is by expanding her initiative, Imagination Library,” says Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Dolly firmly believed that investing in child literacy could have a lifelong positive impact, and United Way agrees. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a proven program that improves literacy skills for young children and helps break cycles of poverty.” 

United Way launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Hartford in October 2020, and later expanded to New Britain. The goal of the initiative is to build literacy skills for young children before they enter Kindergarten, setting them up for success in school and beyond. Children enrolled at birth could build a home library of up to 60 books by the time they turn five years old. 

Since 2023, United Way/Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has partnered with Read to Grow, Reach out and Read, and State Representatives Dominique Johnson and Robin Comey to sustain equitable access to books for young children ages birth to five that reside in Connecticut through a combined $500,000 annual appropriation from the State’s budget.  

“Dolly Parton envisioned inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. Since United Way launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library locally in October 2020, this program has delivered tangible results in Hartford and New Britain,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “The Imagination Library is a proven strategy to boost early literacy, school readiness, and foundational skills. Beyond the classroom, early reading proficiency is one of the single most effective predictors of long-term academic success, high school graduation, and future earning potential. When a child opens a book, they open their world. Let’s make sure every child in our state has that door opened for them.” 

Those who wish to honor Dolly Parton’s legacy by making a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so at imaginationlibrary.com. Donors have the option to designate to a “Local Program Partner” to direct their gift to their community of choice – including those active in Connecticut.  

“Dolly Parton forever changed our nation and world by leading with love, giving over 300 million books to children all over our country and the world. We in CT continue to benefit from her generosity through our Imagination Library programs and urge our fellow CT residents to honor her memory by supporting one of our five Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs today,” says Representative Dominique Johnson (CT-143).  

To date, more than 11,000 enrolled children in Hartford and New Britain have received nearly 250,000 books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  

“Dolly Parton showed the world what a love of reading can spark in a child. Through partners like United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, our state knows that supporting books for families is one of the smartest investments we can make in our kids’ futures,” says Representative Robin Comey (CT-102).  

Following Dolly Parton’s passing, the Dollywood Foundation sent a communication to Imagination Library partners, including United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, to reassure the organizations that the initiative will continue past the singer-songwriter’s lifetime.  

To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and to check registration eligibility, visit unitedwayinc.org/books.  

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut  
United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.       

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted nearly 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 2 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more. 

The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

Media Contact: Anyeline Céspedes López | United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut | acespedes@unitedwayinc.org | 787.502.0436