Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation invests $4.5 million in early literacy program at Nashville Public Library

Dolly Parton has long been an advocate and supporter of early childhood literacy. Now, the Parton Dollywood Foundation (home of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library) has invested $4.5 million to help launch the Nashville Public Library’s new early literacy program called Begin Bright.

According to the Nashville Public Library Foundation, the $4.5 million investment marks the “most significant gift” in the foundation’s 27-year history. Begin Bright will help ensure every Nashville child starts reading in kindergarten as early as possible by providing every child care center in the county with a small library filled with Patton Imagination Library books and an array of Nashville Public Library resources . A new app will also provide parents and teachers with on-demand digital early literacy training, and Vanderbilt University’s Center for Prenatal to Age 3 Policy Impact will study the results to create an actionable, measurable and replicable Model.

“I firmly believe this partnership can have a huge impact on inspiring a love of reading in children and families. One of the best parts is that Nashville can once again light the way for the nation,” Patton said in a statement.

The foundation’s initial goal is to raise $20 million to implement Begin Bright and establish an endowment to sustain the program. The library will launch this program in spring 2025.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library opened in Tennessee and will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. The Imagination Library program is located in all 50 states and 5 countries around the world, mailing more than 3 million books to children every month. The program aims to provide free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to five years old.

“We are deeply honored by Ms. Parton’s incredible act of generosity,” said Foundation President Shawn Bakker. “Not only does the Dollywood Foundation provide all the books needed to achieve key pillars of the program, but the historic financial contribution will allow the library to accelerate the launch of the program this fiscal year. Dolly Parton is a leader in philanthropy and literacy A transformative figure in her field, we are delighted to be working with her and excited about the impact this will have on our city.

The Nashville Public Library Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that raises private support for the Nashville Public Library (NPL).

“We are honored to join Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a first-of-its-kind partnership in the nation,” said Terri Luke, interim library director. “The Nashville Public Library is committed to setting our city’s young children on the path to reading success. path. Building on Dolly Parton’s passion for bringing books to children and her legacy of bringing communities together through imaginative libraries, this partnership now takes us on a journey of An inspired, loving journey—a legend, a library, and the community it serves.