Hamblen County Imagination Library

09/27/2026

What a FUN day at Dolly Day at College Square Mall!

The Imagination Library Mobile Bus was excited to be part of the celebration, bringing books, activities, read-alouds, and lots of smiles to children and families!

Our original plan was to bring the Mobile Bus inside the mall, but we quickly discovered that our colorful bus was just a little too big to fit through the entrance! So, we parked the bus outside one of the mall’s main entrances where everyone could see it, and we brought the Imagination Library fun inside!

We created a special reading and play area filled with books, puzzles, blocks, and plenty of opportunities for children to explore and use their imaginations.

We also enjoyed three special read-alouds at 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00, giving children a chance to gather together and experience the magic of a good story.

And, of course, EVERY child received a free book to take home! Several adults even picked out books for themselves because you're never too old to enjoy a great book!

Then around 3:30, when students began arriving after school, we opened up the Mobile Bus! With both the bus and our indoor activity areas open, there was something for everyone. Children and adults explored the bus, looked through books, played with activities, and enjoyed a day surrounded by stories and imagination.

Even though our bus couldn't fit inside the mall, that didn't stop us from bringing the Imagination Library experience to Dolly Day!

A HUGE thank-you to everyone who stopped by, listened to a story, explored the bus, played a game, made a donation, or chose a book to take home. Your support helps us continue putting books into the hands of children and families in our community!

Everyone had a GREAT time! We loved being part of such a wonderful day celebrating children, families, and the joy of reading!

What a great day!

09/22/2026

We had such a wonderful time visiting the PreK students at Russellville Primary School!

The students enjoyed a fun and engaging read-aloud with a couple of our amazing Imagination Library volunteers. Their excitement and enthusiasm made story-time extra special!

After the story, the students climbed aboard the Imagination Library Mobile Bus for a tour. They loved exploring the colorful, book-filled bus and discovering all the wonderful books waiting for them.
And, of course, no Mobile Bus visit is complete without a FREE BOOK! Each student got to choose a book to take home and enjoy with their family.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to share stories, encourage young readers, and put books directly into the hands of children in our community.

One story. One smile. One book at a time.

Another wonderful book day!

09/12/2026

The Imagination Library and the Morristown Hamblen Mobile Book Bus were thrilled to attend the 15th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference at Walters State Community College!

It was wonderful connecting with educators and literacy champions who share our passion for helping children discover the joy and magic of reading.

Conference attendees had the opportunity to step aboard the Mobile Book Bus, explore the shelves, and learn more about how we are bringing books and literacy experiences into our community.
And, of course, everyone who visited the bus received a FREE BOOK to take home—for themselves or their classroom! ❤️

We are so grateful to everyone who stopped by, shared their love of reading, and helped us celebrate the power of books.

Together, we’re putting more books into more hands and inspiring more readers—one book at a time! 💙📚

Imagination Library Mobile Book Bus Brings the Joy of Reading to the East Tennessee Literacy Conference

08/28/2026

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is about so much more than giving children books; it’s about opening doors to imagination, wonder, and possibility.

Each month, children from birth to age five receive a carefully selected, high-quality book delivered straight to their home - completely free to their families!

With every book comes an opportunity to:
1. Discover the joy of reading
2. Explore new ideas and adventures
3. Share special moments with a parent or loved one
4. Dream a little bigger

What began with Dolly Parton’s dream of surrounding children with books has grown into a worldwide movement, made possible through Dolly’s commitment and the generosity of local communities.

And here in Hamblen County, we are proud to be part of that dream!

Together, we are putting books into the hands of our youngest children and helping them discover that there is a whole world waiting for them between the pages of a book.

Every child. Every month. Every book. Every possibility.



If you would like to make a donation to your local Imagination Library in memory of Dolly Parton, just click the link below.

Make a donation and support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in communities around the world and help put more books into the hands of more children.

08/27/2026

Thank you, Cruze Farm Morristown! ❤️

Now through Sunday, Cruze Farm Morristown will be donating all proceeds from our Sparkle & Butterfly topping to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library🦋✨📚

Come see us this weekend and help us give back to such a great organization🌈

📍143 E Main St Morristown TN
⏰12-9pm

08/26/2026

"If I'm remembered 100 years from now, I hope it's not for my looks but my books."❤️

"If I'm remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for my...

08/25/2026

A Legacy of Imagination

Today, we say goodbye to a true Tennessee treasure.

Dolly Parton was so much more than a legendary singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. She was a woman who believed that every child deserves the chance to dream.

In 1995, Dolly created her Imagination Library in her hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, inspired by her father, who could not read or write. What began as a simple dream—to put books into the hands of children—grew into a worldwide movement, giving millions of children the gift of a book and the opportunity to fall in love with reading. (Dolly Parton⁠)

Here in Hamblen County, we have the privilege of carrying a small piece of that dream forward through our Imagination Library Mobile Book Bus. Every time a child climbs aboard, chooses a book, listens to a story, or discovers a new world between the pages, we see Dolly’s vision come to life.

Her greatest legacy may not be found on a stage or in a recording studio.

It is found in the hands of a child holding their very own book.

It is found in a parent reading a bedtime story.

It is found in a child’s imagination beginning to soar.

And it is found in communities like ours continuing the work she began.

Thank you, Dolly, for reminding us to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.

Your song may have ended, but the story you started will continue—one child, one book, and one imagination at a time.

Rest peacefully, Dolly. Your legacy will continue to turn pages.

08/22/2026

What a beautiful day for a great cause!

The Morristown Hamblen Imagination Library was so thankful to see our community come together in support of the Imagination Library Golf Tournament. Golfers were excited to hit the course with their teams, enjoy some friendly competition, and play for a cause that helps bring the joy of books to children in our community!

The Imagination Library Mobile Book Bus was also set up at the event, giving golfers and attendees the opportunity to step aboard and see what the bus is all about. We think a few people may have been surprised by what they discovered inside!

With beautiful, slightly overcast skies, wonderful community support, and plenty of smiles, it was a fantastic day from start to finish.

Thank you to everyone who came out to play, sponsor, volunteer, and support this special event. We are truly grateful for a community that continues to come together to support the Morristown Hamblen Imagination Library and the children we serve!

08/22/2026

The Imagination Library Mobile Book Bus had a wonderful time attending the Back to School Bash at Hillcrest Elementary!

Even though it was a hot day, smiles were everywhere! Children and families stopped by to enjoy our Welcome Back photo opportunity, play on the foam mat, and spend some time having fun together.

The best part? Everyone received a book to take home!

We loved seeing the excitement as children picked up a new book to enjoy and begin the school year with a little extra imagination.

Thank you, Hillcrest Elementary, for inviting us to be part of such a fun celebration! We hope everyone has an amazing school year filled with learning, laughter, adventure, and plenty of books!

Books! Books! Books!

08/15/2026

What a wonderful afternoon with the youth at Trinity Methodist Church!

The Imagination Library (IML) had the pleasure of bringing books, smiles, and plenty of excitement to a beautiful summer day. Even with the warm temperatures, the sunshine and enthusiasm of the children made the day extra special!

The children loved touring the Imagination Library bus, exploring where the magic of reading begins, and - best of all - choosing a book of their very own to take home.

Seeing their excitement as they browsed the books and made their selections was a wonderful reminder of the joy that reading brings.

A heartfelt thank-you to the youth and families at Trinity Methodist Church for welcoming IML and making our visit so memorable. Your smiles and love of books truly brightened our day!

A great day, a great book, and lots of happy young readers—what could be better?

More smiles, more fun, and more free books!