Dolly Parton has provided hundreds of millions of complimentary books to children via her Imagination Library, an endeavor she described as a privilege, according to a Canadian who helps select books for the initiative.
“She regarded the Imagination Library and her legacy as a privilege,” stated Chaya Kulkarni, a member of the book selection committee for the Imagination Library and director of infant and early mental health promotion at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
“It was a privilege to possess the means and resources to establish this program that has influenced the lives of millions of children globally … it stemmed from a profoundly personal place in her heart and her own childhood,” she shared with The Current’s guest host Susan Ormiston.
Parton passed away this week at the age of 80. Many have paid tribute to her for her contributions to country music, pop culture, and her philanthropic efforts. She launched the Imagination Library in 1995, distributing over 300 million books worldwide, including five million books in Canada, and 730,595 in 2025 alone. Every month, eligible children receive one free book until they turn five.
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Parton established the initiative in memory of her father, who was unable to read or write. In 2020, she expressed that she was “as proud of the Imagination Library as I will ever be of anything I do in my life.”
In announcing her passing, Parton’s family requested that donations be made to the Imagination Library instead of sending flowers, while the program confirmed it will continue to distribute books.
Kulkarni discussed the program’s impact and Parton’s enduring legacy with Ormiston.
You had the opportunity to meet her multiple times. What was she like?
She was incredibly kind and you could really see her commitment to being a good person, to spreading kindness, and to inspiring others across various platforms — whether they were musicians or individuals working with young children. She was genuinely generous, humble, and kind-hearted.
Reflecting on my encounters with her and the chance to know her through the program, I believe she would perceive the Imagination Library and her legacy as a privilege.
For her, it was a privilege to have the ability and the resources to create this initiative that has positively affected millions of children across the globe, not just in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Australia, the U.K., and Ireland.
It originated from a very deep emotional space within her and was influenced by her own childhood experiences.
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Can you explain how the program operates and the families that benefit from the Imagination Library both in Canada and globally?
Essentially, a community must participate. This is not a program that individual parents can enroll in alone.
They need to secure some funding to support the collection, but once the community has accomplished that, families can register. They begin receiving a book each month starting from when their child is one month old if they enroll that early. The books are addressed to the child and usually arrive around the same time each month, with many parents sharing stories about how their child eagerly anticipates the arrival of their book, marking it on the calendar.
I recall attending my first meeting and thinking, “Oh, this will be filled with books that publishers reject.” However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the opposite; these are actually award-winning titles.
They aim to include Canadian authors and illustrators, featuring stories like Carson Crosses Canada, one of my personal favorites. Additionally, titles such as On the Trapline and Métis Like Me showcase the perspectives of Indigenous authors and communities.
Considerable time and effort are invested in selecting the books from both developmental and cultural viewpoints. In Canada, this has been particularly significant to us.
What do you find most remarkable about her connection with children?
I still clearly recall the launch in Canada, where she sat on a small chair surrounded by children, bringing energy to every story she read. This is what the kids enjoyed; her voice was captivating as a storyteller, and the children felt a connection to it. They loved listening to her. The program has previously recorded her reading various stories, allowing families to access and listen to her narrate tales like The Little Engine That Could and others. She truly resonated with young audiences.
What will you cherish most about this extraordinary star?
That she provided millions of children with the wonderful gift of storytelling. It’s a lasting gift that can shape a child’s life. For me, being a part of that legacy is truly a privilege.
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