Oklahoma Lawmakers Mourn Country Music Legend Dolly Parton

Haste, Townley Thank Dolly Parton for Her Contributions to Childhood Literacy Through Imagination Library

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Representative Tammy Townley, 
R-Ardmore, expressed their heartbreak at the loss of country music legend and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80. The lawmakers celebrated the life and legacy of Parton and her commitment to improving childhood literacy.

Created in 1995, Parton and her Imagination Library began the legacy of putting books into the hands of children and inspiring a lifelong love of reading. The program provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth through age 5. Haste and Townley authored Senate Bill 1803 to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Oklahoma.

“Dolly’s generosity and commitment to childhood literacy touched millions of children across the country and around the world,” said Sen. Haste. “Here in Oklahoma, we are fortunate to carry that work forward and see her vision reach every corner of our state. Reading helps children succeed throughout their lives. The Imagination Library has made it possible for children and families to grow their minds and develop a love of reading.”

This year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will officially reach all 77 Oklahoma counties, ensuring hundreds of thousands of children across the state have access to free, high-quality books from an early age. Currently, more than 100,000 Oklahoma children aged zero to five receive books every month through the Imagination Library program, with thousands more expected by the end of 2026.

"Dolly Parton understood how much a single book can mean to a young reader, and she turned that belief into something that has reached millions of families," Townley said. "Sen. Haste and I were proud to pass Senate Bill 1803, creating Oklahoma’s Imagination Library, and watching that program grow across our state has been incredibly special. I only wish Dolly could have been here to see us finish the work of bringing it to children in all 77 counties. Her music will be remembered for generations, but so will the young Oklahomans who learned to love reading because Dolly believed every child deserved books of their own. We are sending out prayers to her family, friends and Dolly Nation. There will never be anyone else like her!” said Rep. Townley.

The legacy Dolly Parton leaves behind will be felt by everyone who knew her or called her a friend through their radio or TV screens. But the real legacy will be left to the millions of children she helped through her advocacy.

“Dolly gave the world an extraordinary legacy through her music, but her greatest legacy may be the one she quietly built – one book and one child at a time,” said Erin Bell, Director of Early Literacy at the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. “Her music will be sung for generations, but so will the stories read at bedtime because of her generosity and vision. We will honor Dolly by carrying her work forward. Through the continued commitment of our state and local communities, Oklahoma children will continue to grow up with Dolly’s books in their homes and her remarkable legacy in their lives.”

To learn more about the Imagination Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library | OPSR