For hundreds of young children in Quitman, Alba-Golden and Yantis, a trip to the mailbox brings something special each month. A new book arrives with their name on it, giving them another story to read and another book to call their own.
About 375 local children currently receive books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, with the program funded locally by supporters of the Pilot Club of Quitman.
Delene Allen, librarian for the Quitman Public Library, said Parton wanted children to experience the joy of having books of their own.
“Dolly wanted all children to feel the excitement and magic that books can create. Because of Dolly’s Imagination Library, every child can have books, regardless of their family’s income,” Allen said.
Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee, according to the program’s official website. The program was inspired by her father, who could not read or write.
What began with books mailed to children in one Tennessee county eventually grew to reach children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. Millions of books are provided to children each month.
The idea behind the program has remained much the same: High-quality, age-appropriate books are mailed directly to children from birth through age 5, helping make books a familiar and exciting part of their early years.
That mission has found a home in Wood County through the Pilot Club of Quitman.
Following Parton’s passing, the club reflected on how a program that began in Sevier County, Tennessee, continues to reach children in East Texas.
“The Pilot Club of Quitman was greatly saddened by the loss of Dolly Parton. As a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Partner, we believe in her vision and dream of putting books in the hands of children at an early age. We are more than grateful that she planned and provided a way for the Imagination Library to continue beyond her own lifetime. Our club currently funds the program for 375 children in Alba-Golden, Quitman, and Yantis, who each receive a book every month, but it is only possible because of Dolly’s inspirational foresight,” said Susan Ukleja, program coordinator for the Pilot Club of Quitman.
“We can think of no better tribute to the legacy of Dolly than continuing in her work of delivering books to children age 0 to 5, and we encourage those living in the areas we cover to sign them up for free at imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability,” Ukleja said.
The Quitman Public Library also serves as a sign-up point for the program.
“Right now, the Quitman Pilot Club sponsors children in Quitman, Alba-Golden and Yantis. The Quitman Public Library is a sign-up point for this wonderful program. If you are outside the Quitman Pilot Club’s service region, stop by or call the library, and we will help you find a program sponsor in your area,” Allen said.