Dolly Parton has called on Indiana’s governor to reverse course on plans to do away with her popular “Imagination Library” program.
The country singer, who started the book gifting program to encourage early literacy, urged Gov. Mike Braun to reconsider the state’s proposed budget, which does not include the usual 50 percent matching funds provided to finance the initiative.
“We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state’s funding match for local Imagination Library programs,“ Parton’s rep said in a statement.
”The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all—regardless of politics—because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed.”
Under the program, young registered children received a free book once a month until the age of 5 — almost like it’s coming directly from a fairy godmother named Dolly Parton. The country singer started the Imagination Library in 1995 to inspire “a love of reading,” according to the website.
Parton was inspired by her own father’s inability to read and write to launch the initiative. Although it started in the U.S., it now sends out over two million free books each month to children around the world.
The program runs via shared funding by Parton and local community partners in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland.
Parton touted the program’s success in the Hoosier state, as she urged the state’s lawmakers to reconsider.
“For the past two years, the State of Indiana has been a proud partner in bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to over 125,000 Hoosier children each month,” her statement said. “Together, we’ve helped nurture a love of reading, given families precious moments of joy, and built a foundation for lifelong learning.”
