Parton helps celebrate Imagination Library program

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  — Country legend Dolly Parton joined Gov. Bill Haslam in celebrating the 10th anniversary of her Imagination Library in Tennessee.

Parton, Haslam and former Gov. Phil Bredesen were part of a ceremony on Tuesday that capped a statewide bus tour promoting the program, which started during Bredesen’s administration.

This month, the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library embarked on a special journey across our state to help celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary and more than 20 million books distributed to children in Tennessee.

Theresa Carl  told WNWS “Today, we know that children are more prepared for school and have stronger early reading skills when they are exposed to books at an early age.” Carl is president of the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation

The Books from Birth Foundation helps support the program by matching the funds raised by local groups.

Parton said her main reason for starting the program was to honor her father, who couldn’t read or write.

The more than 50-county bus tour that began Aug. 26 included recognizing the work of volunteers and donors, signing children up for free books and building community support for the program.

(AP)