08/25/2026
The Guilford County Partnership for Children joins communities across the nation in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, whose extraordinary legacy extends far beyond music. Through her generosity to children and families, Dolly transformed countless lives and inspired generations through the power of literacy.
As the local affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of her belief that every child deserves access to books. Since 2017, the program has grown from serving four Guilford County ZIP codes to reaching all 53 ZIP codes throughout our community. To date, 2,125,147 books have been mailed to local children, helping families build home libraries and establish a lifelong love of reading. During fiscal year 2025-2026, 18,988 children under the age of five received free books through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. T
Today, the program serves 61% of Guilford County's youngest children, ensuring that thousands of families have access to high-quality books delivered directly to their homes each month.
The Guilford County Partnership for Children remains deeply committed to carrying this mission forward. We are honored to continue administering Dolly Parton's Imagination Library locally and ensuring that children throughout Guilford County have access to the gift of books.
Those wishing to honor Dolly Parton's legacy may support the local Imagination Library program at guilfordchildren.org/donate. A gift of $30 provides one child with a full year of free books, helping continue the work that meant so much to Dolly and to the families we serve.
Today, we celebrate a life dedicated to generosity, compassion, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to dream. We are grateful for Dolly Parton's remarkable legacy and the lasting impact she leaves on Guilford County and communities around the world.