Dolly Parton’s book program sees boost since singer’s death, expands to the UK

Published September 25, 2026 12:31pm ET | Updated September 25, 2026 12:31pm ET



Dolly Parton’s book program is expanding its reach in the United Kingdom, carrying on one of the music icon’s most prominent philanthropic efforts a month after her death.

Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding in London with £5 million, or $6.6 million, in new funding from Britain’s People’s Postcode Lottery, making more than 150,000 children eligible to receive a free book every month from birth until age 5. The program has already distributed more than 7 million books to children in the U.K. and more than 330 million worldwide since its founding.

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