Governor DeWine Declares Dolly Parton Day in Ohio as 1 Million Children Join Her Literacy Legacy
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel have declared September 25, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day in recognition of the entertainer’s lifelong contribution to literacy and children.
The proclamation, signed on September 14, celebrates Parton’s journey from humble beginnings to global recognition and highlights her philanthropic work supporting children’s access to books and early learning.
A key part of that legacy is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, which has reached more than one million children across all 88 Ohio counties since the statewide programme began in 2019.
Through the programme, children from birth to age five receive a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book by mail every month. The initiative gives families a practical way to encourage reading at home while helping young children develop early literacy skills.
The statewide programme also places children’s access to books at the centre of early childhood development, giving families an opportunity to build reading into everyday life from a child’s earliest years.
Ohio parents and caregivers can enrol eligible children from birth to age five in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio.
The September 25 observance will offer communities an opportunity to celebrate Parton’s contribution while drawing attention to the importance of early literacy and ensuring children have access to books during their formative years.
