Knoxville, Tenn – On Sunday, January 19, Knox County Public Library will host a celebration at the Tennessee Theatre in honor of Dolly Parton’s birthday and 20 years of Imagination Library in Knox County. The free event, Books, Birthday Cake, and Dreaming Big presented by Verizon, will take place between 1:00 and 6:00 with craft activities, cupcakes, and live music in the lobby. Ladybug Girl and Corduroy will be on hand for photos. Kids of all ages are encouraged to dress as a character from one of their favorite Imagination Library books. There will be a parade, a dance party, a video story time by Dolly, music by the Holston Middle School Show Choir, Dolly-themed trivia and a screening of Dolly’s iconic movie, 9 to 5.
Schedule of events:
1:00: Lobby opens | Send Dolly a birthday wish, take a photo with Corduroy or Ladybug Girl, enjoy crafts, cupcakes and more!
1:30: Happy Birthday, Dolly | Kids and families, join the story book parade and have a Dolly dance party! Watch a big screen storytime, then sing “Happy Birthday.”
2:30: Celebrate 20 Years | Enjoy a medley of favorite Dolly Parton songs by the Holston Middle School Show Choir and hear from participants about the impact of 20 years of Imagination Library in our community.
3:00: Dolly-themed Trivia and a screening of 9 to 5 | Play Dolly trivia for prizes before watching Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin deal with a horrible boss in 9 to 5.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Knox County was launched on January 15, 2005, with 1,500 children enrolled. Today, the program, which is administered by the Library, mails out free books every month to 19,000 children under the age of five. Since the Knox County program began, they have mailed out 4.1 million books to 100,000 children.
Having access to books is a critical first step in learning to read. Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain is developed in the first few years of life. Reading aloud to children helps forge synapsis, builds vocabulary, and prepares a child to learn to read when they enter school. Time spent reading together also nurtures the parent-child bond.
“We’re excited to celebrate 20 years of the Imagination Library and Dolly’s birthday. This is more than just a feel-good program,” commented Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “Early literacy can make the difference in whether a child succeeds in school, and having books in hand is the beginning of that journey.”
The event is free and open to the public through generous support from Verizon, the Lantry Family Foundation, and the Tennessee Theatre.
“At Verizon, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting initiatives that create lasting impacts. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library embodies the values we hold dear, fostering literacy and empowering young minds,” said Leigh Anne Lanier, Atlantic South Market President. “By sponsoring this event, we’re not only helping to put books into the hands of children but also strengthening the bonds within our local communities. Together, we can inspire the next generation and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families in the communities we serve.”
More information about Books, Birthday Cake and Dreaming Big can be found at KnoxCountyLibrary.org/IL.
