Dolly Parton has long been an advocate and supporter of early childhood literacy. Now Parton's Dollywood Foundation, home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, has made a $4.5 million investment to help launch the Nashville Public Library's new early literacy program, called Begin Bright.
According to the Nashville Public Library Foundationthe $4.5 million investment marks “the most significant gift” in the foundation's 27-year history. Begin Bright will help ensure that every Nashville child starts reading early in kindergarten by delivering a Little Library filled with Parton's Imagination Library books and a Nashville Public Library resource plate to every child care center in the county. A new app will also offer on-demand digital early literacy training for parents and teachers, and Vanderbilt University's Prenatal to 3 Policy Impact Center will study the results, creating an actionable, measurable and replicable model.
“I truly believe this partnership can have a huge impact on inspiring a love of reading in children and families. And one of the best parts is that Nashville can once again light the way for the nation,” Parton said in a statement.
The Foundation initially aims to raise $20 million to implement Begin Bright and establish an endowment that supports the program. The Library will begin the program in the spring of 2025.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library started in Tennessee and is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. Imagination Library programs exist in all 50 states and 5 countries around the world, mailing over 3 million books into children's hands each month. The program aims to provide free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to five years of age.
“We are humbled by Ms. Parton's incredible act of generosity,” said Foundation President Shawn Bakker. “Not only has the Dollywood Foundation donated all the books necessary to fulfill a key pillar of the program, but the historic financial contribution will allow the Library to accelerate the launch of this program within the fiscal year. Dolly Parton is a transformative figure in the worlds of philanthropy and education and we are thrilled to be working with her and excited about the impact this promises to have on our city.”
The Nashville Public Library Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that provides private support for the Nashville Public Library (NPL).
Interim Director of the Library Terri Luke said: “We are honored to join Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in this first-of-its-kind partnership. The Nashville Public Library is committed to putting our city's young children on a path to reading success. With Dolly Parton's passion for bringing books to children and her legacy of bringing communities together through her Imagination Library, this partnership now brings us on an inspiring, heartfelt journey together – a legend, a library and the community that serves”.
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