Dolly Parton, the singer, actress and philanthropist whose childhood-book program reached every county in West Virginia, died Tuesday after a brief illness, state public radio reported. Parton’s Imagination Library — launched in 1995 in honor of her father — has been a prominent early childhood literacy effort in the state, and her 2022 visit marked a milestone when West Virginia completed participation in the program.
Statewide program with local reach
The Imagination Library mails free, age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth through age 5. In 2022, Parton traveled to West Virginia to celebrate the program’s full implementation across the state — a symbolic moment that underscored how the national initiative had become embedded in local communities here.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting aired a portion of an interview Parton gave in 2022 with then-executive producer Suzanne Higgins, recalling that segment as the state and the nation marked her passing. The program continues to be produced by WVPB, which said the network is solely responsible for the content of its coverage.
What the program means for families
For many West Virginia families, the Imagination Library has been a practical resource. Counties, libraries, nonprofit groups and local governments have partnered to enroll children and to supply matching funds where required. That collaboration helped the program expand until it served the entire state.
Advocates cite several benefits linked to regular access to age-appropriate books: improved early literacy, greater parental engagement in reading, and stronger school readiness. While the state’s full participation was celebrated publicly in 2022, many day-to-day efforts to enroll children and distribute books are carried out at the county level by volunteers and staff at public institutions.
How West Virginia supported the rollout
Public and private partners helped the program take root here. Supporters included state-level advocacy, local school systems, public libraries and organizations that raise money to cover mailing and book costs. WVPB noted Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications as supporters of its news bureaus.
Continuing impact and how to get involved
With Parton’s passing, local coordinators said their focus remains on sustaining enrollment and funding so children who are eligible continue to receive books. For organizations and residents wanting to help, opportunities typically include:
- Volunteering with county literacy groups or public libraries to register children and distribute information.
- Donating to local Imagination Library affiliates or scholarship funds that cover program costs.
- Promoting awareness among parents, pediatricians and early childhood educators about enrollment eligibility.
Wider coverage and remembrance
West Virginia Public Broadcasting revisited Parton’s 2022 interview and the statewide celebration as part of its coverage. The station recommended listeners follow West Virginia Morning on radio or subscribe to the podcast to hear the full archived conversation and related segments. Maria Young produced the episode that included the interview clip.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Imagination Library launched by Dolly Parton |
| 2022 | Parton visits West Virginia to mark full state participation |
| Tuesday | Parton died after a brief illness (reported by WVPB) |
As coverage continues, local organizers say the best tribute to Parton’s work in West Virginia will be sustained attention to early childhood literacy and continued investment in programs that put books into the hands of young readers.
For those seeking more information on the Imagination Library or how to enroll a child, local public libraries and county program coordinators remain primary points of contact. West Virginia Public Broadcasting encouraged listeners to add the station as a preferred source to follow ongoing coverage and features.
