MidPointe Library is asking Butler County residents to donate $9.25 on Friday, Sept. 25. The money supports Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which mails a free book each month to more than 14,500 local children.
The Dollywood Foundation announced Sept. 25 as Give Like Dolly Day, a global fundraiser honoring Parton's legacy of early childhood literacy. The day will be observed annually going forward. MidPointe chose $9.25 as the suggested donation to match the date.
MidPointe administers the Imagination Library across Butler County in partnership with Lane Libraries. The program delivers one free, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth through age 5, funded by local donors and the national program.
"Give Like Dolly Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to not only support their local Imagination Library Partners but also other local nonprofits helping children," Jeff Conyers, president of The Dollywood Foundation, said in the announcement.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed a proclamation on Monday, Sept. 14, declaring Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day in Ohio, he posted on X. DeWine said more than one million Ohio children across all 88 counties have received free monthly books since the Imagination Library of Ohio launched in 2019.
Parton started the program in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee. It now reaches five countries and has delivered books to more than 3 million children. By the time of her death on Aug. 25, the program had distributed more than 332 million books worldwide.
A survey by the MidPointe Library Foundation found that 71% of participating families said the books created a great deal more reading time at home. Ninety-nine percent said they would recommend the program to other families, and 52% said it increased their use of public libraries.
In an Aug. 25 tribute, MidPointe recalled Parton's hope that she would be remembered not for her looks but for books.
Residents can donate at MidPointe Library's website.
Upcoming community dates
- Friday, Sept. 25 — Give Like Dolly Day. Donate $9.25 to support the local Imagination Library through MidPointe Library.
- Friday, Sept. 25 — Dolly Parton Day in Ohio, per the governor's proclamation.
