The story Dolly Parton started more than 30 years ago will not end with her death.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue to serve children following her death, ensuring that her legacy of putting books into the hands of young children lives on.
As of September 2026, more than 520 children are registered with Seward’s Imagination Library chapter, marking the first time the program has had more than 500 children registered at one time. Including children who have graduated from the program, nearly 700 local youths have received books through the organization.
After Parton’s passing Aug. 25, Imagination Library program chairs received a heartfelt message of condolences, encouragement and reassurance from the Imagination Library leadership, according to Dylan Teut, a local liaison to the national Imagination Library program.
“Dolly didn’t build the Imagination Library to last for her lifetime. She built it to last for theirs,” the message said. “That is an important distinction, and one I hope we will all carry with us in the days and years ahead.”
Imagination Library, which mails books to children ages birth to five at no cost, began more than 30 years ago. Inspired by her father, Parton wanted to ensure every young child in her hometown area could have books of their own, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
“She hoped those books would encourage children to love reading, dream more and believe that their own possibilities were bigger than they might imagine,” Teut said.
The program has since expanded to communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Australia, where children open their mailboxes to books of their own.
Seward County started its own Imagination Library program in 2024 at the idea of Teut and Earl Pierce, with the help of Seward Kiwanis, Milford Kiwanis, Utica Lions, Seward Rotary and other community stakeholders.
It serves Seward, Milford, Bee, Beaver Crossing, Staplehurst, Utica, Garland, Gresham, Waco, Dwight and Pleasant Dale. Every month, children registered in the program receive a new book.
Teut said Parton’s connection to the program is meaningful to him as a volunteer.
“I never had the chance to meet her or see her live, but she would occasionally send video greetings to volunteers of the Imagination Library,” Teut said. “Her spirit and her energy were contagious, and always kept me motivated to keep doing the work.”
Teut, whose doctoral work was in reading and literacy, said the first five years of a child’s life are vital to building a foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking. The more the community can grow children’s strengths in these areas, the stronger the community will become.
“A love of reading is a gift that begins early in life, and if fostered well and nourished and nurtured, flows into adulthood and flourishes into the community,” he said. “The thought of children being flooded with books at an early age and embracing literacy isn't just a happy thought; it's vital to our success and culture as the years pass.”
When a child in the program turns five, they receive their final book from the program along with a video message from Parton.
Ben and Emma Gremel of Seward have two children, four-year-old George and two-year-old Charlie, who are part of the program. Emma Gremel said the books are different each month and always match each child’s age. The front pocket of each Imagination Library book contains a message with reminders on how to read with a child.
The Gremels always read to George before nap and bedtime, and Emma Gremel said he often chooses a book from Imagination Library. The program helps them to fulfill their goal of making reading important in their home.
“It’s just a good time to sit down and connect with our kids,” she said.
George recently received “The Rabbit Listened,” a book that illustrates positive emotion processing.
“I think it’s a great story for my son to see the different ways to handle things and a good reminder as a parent not to tell them how to feel and just wait and be there as they feel the things,” Emma Gremel said.
She always recommends the program to her mom friends.
“As parents, I think we can get really busy, bedtimes can get long, the days are long, but these books are just a good reminder for us of how little our kids are and to take the time to read to them and help them develop those skills and love from an early age,” she said.
Teut said he often hears from people who appreciate the program.
“They are quick to tell me that their children or grandchildren have been receiving books, and there are certain books that they love to read over and over, and they are so thankful to have a well-stocked library at home thanks to the Imagination Library program,” he said.
As a volunteer, Teut likes to imagine the excitement each child feels when they get a package in the mail every month and fall in love with a new book.
“We hope that the joy flows into the children’s reading lives as they graduate out of the program and enter into school,” he said.
While Parton and the Dollywood Foundation buy the books, the community program pays for the shipping and processing, according to Teut.
Since the Seward chapter began in March 2024, postage rates have already increased. At $2.50 per book shipment, the chapter spends over $1,000 on postage each month.
Community organizations and partners put together fundraising efforts throughout the year to support the program, as Teut said fundraising is the most challenging aspect of running the program.
“Dolly's legacy will certainly live on through the songs she wrote, the characters she created and the joy she brought to millions of people,” Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library said. “But I believe some of her most important legacy will live quietly in homes around the world — in the moments when a parent reads to a child, when a little hand turns a page, when a favorite story is requested one more time before bed, or when a child begins to believe that there is a bigger world waiting for them.”
