Dolly Parton’s Death Sparks Surge of Support for Alabama Book Program

Alabama Residents Rally Behind Parton’s Imagination Library

Andrew PowellAug 28, 20262 min read

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"It's been amazing," she added. "If you had asked me last week if I thought we would make a thousand, I would have said I'm not sure. But now I'm really confident I think that we'll hit that 1,000 mark."

About $50 from each specialty plate would go toward the Imagination

Library program in the Alabama county where the vehicle is registered.

The annual fee would provide a continuing source of local funding while giving drivers a way to support the program.

Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in honor of her father, who never learned to read or write.

The program provides enrolled children with one free book each month from birth through age 5, allowing them to receive as many as 60 books.

More than 300 million books have been distributed worldwide since the program began.

About 114,000 Alabama children are currently enrolled, Christian said. She said registrations have also surged following Parton's death.

Christian said the money from one specialty plate could provide enough books for two children for nearly two years, or about 48 books.

She pointed to the personal impact of the program, recalling her nearly 5-year-old son saying, "Ms. Dolly sent me another book."

Alabama's Imagination Library expanded statewide under Gov. Kay Ivey in 2023 and reached all 67 counties in early 2025. The state provides 50% financial support for participating children.