Dolly Parton's beloved literacy mission sees surge of support after country icon's death

Parton died Tuesday at age 80. Beyond a career that produced classics, including "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," Parton built an extensive philanthropic legacy, the Imagination Library being one of her signature initiatives.

"It's exploded over the last 24 hours really," Christian said.

"It's been amazing," she continued. "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."

Christian said roughly $50 from each plate would go back to the Imagination Library program in the Alabama county where the vehicle is registered. Drivers would pay the fee annually, creating an ongoing source of support for local programs and an easy way to "almost set up a recurring donation to your local Imagination Library," she said.

Since the program's founding, more than 300 million books have been shared around the world.

Christian said about 114,000 Alabama children are enrolled in the program, and registrations had also "gone crazy in the last 24 hours."

She said the money generated by one specialty plate would cover the cost of providing books to two children every month for almost two years, or roughly 48 books.

Beyond the numbers, Christian said part of Parton's legacy can be found in children growing up excited to find a new book in their mailbox every month.

Christian's son, who is nearly 5, is enrolled in the program.

"He just loves the books that we get every month," Christian said. "He talks about them all the time. And he talks about 'Ms. Dolly sent me another book.'"

Christian also recalled speaking with a mother who wanted to commit to the license plate because her children were about to graduate from the Imagination Library, and she wanted to help provide the same experience to another child.

She said the program can also have a lasting impact on families who otherwise may not have been able to afford books for their children.

Christian recalled hearing from one family that told her, "We couldn't afford books for our home, and, so, we enrolled in this program."

"Now my middle school child reads 200 books a year," the parent told her, according to Christian.

"It just really is the gift that keeps on giving for children," Christian said. "The full point of the program is to inspire a love of reading. That's what we want."

Christian emphasized that the specialty plate is more than a way to commemorate Parton, saying the recurring funding could help local partners continue operating their programs for years to come.

She described those partners as the "boots on the ground," responsible for finding and enrolling children, promoting the program in their communities and raising money to help fund it.

"I think it really gives them the security that they will be able to continue their local program long term," Christian said.

In 2023, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a statewide expansion of the Imagination Library. Christian said the program achieved coverage in all 67 Alabama counties in early 2025 and that the state provides 50% financial support for participating children.