BPL Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend and Champion of Books

 

BPL Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend and Champion of Books

The Birmingham Public Library joins millions around the world in mourning the loss of beloved country music legend, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at age 80.

For generations, Dolly Parton entertained us with songs such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” But for those of us in the library world, her legacy goes far beyond music.

Dolly Parton was also one of the world's greatest champions of books, children and literacy.

Her Greatest Hit May Be the Gift of Reading

Perhaps Dolly's greatest contribution to generations of children is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which she founded in 1995 in honor of her father, Robert Lee Parton, who was unable to read or write and grew into a worldwide literacy movement.

Today, the Imagination Library provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth through age 5, regardless of their family's income.

You can visit any Birmingham Public Library location to sign up for Imagination Library.

As of June 2026, the Imagination Library had gifted more than 325 million books to children around the world. Learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly once described the importance of books this way: “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

A Legacy That Will Keep Reading

Dolly Parton's career stretched across music, television, film, Broadway and business. She earned countless honors and became one of the most recognizable and beloved entertainers in the world.

But her impact will not end with the final song.

Every time a child opens a book that arrived in the mail through the Imagination Library, Dolly's dream continues.

Every time a parent reads to a child, that legacy grows.

And every time a child discovers a new world inside a book, another door opens.

That is a legacy the library world can celebrate.

If you're looking for all things Dolly, BPL locations across Birmingham have plenty to explore. From her music and biography to books about her remarkable life and career, you can browse the Birmingham Public Library and Jefferson County Library catalog by clicking here:

Explore Dolly Parton in the BPL catalog

So today, Birmingham Public Library remembers Dolly Parton not only as the woman who gave us  countless hits, but also was a champion of children, literacy and the transformative power of reading.

Rest in peace, Dolly. And thank you for helping generations of children dream more, learn more, care more and be more.

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist - Birmingham Public Library