“You can never get enough books in the hands of enough children.” -Dolly Parton
On August 25, we lost a truly extraordinary woman. Dolly Parton was a singer, a songwriter, a brilliant businesswoman, and a kind, generous philanthropist. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Dolly put books into the homes and hands of children around the world, inspiring a love of reading and giving families the gift of time spent together. What began as a simple dream in East Tennessee, inspired by Dolly’s love for her father, grew into an international early-literacy movement built on her belief in the potential of every child.
Imagination Library in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties
In 2008, just a few months after the Gunnison Area Community Foundation and the Crested Butte Community Foundation came together as the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, local businesswoman Brenda Kiester established the Early Childhood Literacy Fund. With this stable source of funding, the newly formed CFGV became a local affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, sending books to all enrolled children in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties.
Through Imagination Library, every enrolled child, starting from birth and up through their fifth birthday, receives a high-quality, age-appropriate, and often bilingual book each month in the mail. Brenda and Pam Montgomery, then CFGV’s executive director, worked to launch the program after Brenda read about the program in an issue of The Rotarian magazine. Imagination Library has continued locally for nearly 20 years with the support of generous community members and organizations who have donated to the Early Childhood Literacy Fund and many local volunteers who have given their time over the years, especially Carol Primus and Lynn Cudlip. In 2024, CFGV celebrated over 1,000 local children graduating from the program.
Transition to the Public Library
In 2021, the state of Colorado launched statewide expansion of Imagination Library, providing additional support for our local program. Then, in fall of 2025, Gunnison County Libraries took over the administration of the program as the local partner. “The libraries make a great home for Imagination Library because we get to see our readers become patrons and put even more books in their hands,” shared Keelin MacCarthy, Coordinator of Youth & Family Services at Gunnison County Libraries. “It’s such a privilege to help readers in our valley grow.” If you are a caregiver to a young child under age 5 who lives in Gunnison or Hinsdale County, you can learn more about the local program here.
While the Library now administers the program, CFGV continues to hold the Early Childhood Literacy Fund. If you’d like to make a donation in Dolly’s honor to support Imagination Library here in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties, you can give here.
Dolly Celebrations on 9/25
People all over the world adore Dolly and the Gunnison Valley is no different. In Crested Butte the week of her passing, community members put on their best sequins and rhinestones taking to their bikes for a “townie takeover” in Dolly’s honor. Over one hundred community members rode down Elk Ave, then back through KBUT (yes, through the building), and up Elk again while playing Dolly’s songs from a speaker. This impromptu grassroots celebration will be followed by more formal recognition of Dolly on September 25 (or 9.25), across the country and the world.
Gunnison County's Celebration
The Gunnison Library will host a local celebration of Dolly at the Gunnison Library on September 25 from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Join fellow Dolly fans and book lovers for coffee, donuts, and free books. From 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., they will show the film 9 to 5 on a loop. Join fellow Dolly fans to celebrate Dolly, learn more about Imagination Library, and help put books in hands of local children.
State of Colorado
If you’re going to be in Denver on September 25, Imagination Library of Colorado is working with the Governor’s Office for a special “9 to 5” Dolly Day Celebration at the Governor’s Mansion from 4-8 p.m. Plans include story time inside the Governor’s Mansion, live music, karaoke, a Doggie Parton Dolly Look-Alike Contest, family activities, food trucks, and more.
Dolly Parton’s musical talents first brought her recognition because she was an exceptional songwriter, musician, and singer. Her songs have brought us comfort over the last few weeks as we honor her and all that she has given to our lives. While we can’t emulate her once-in-a-generation talent, we can all learn from her example of how to be a kind, caring, and engaged community member. Dolly didn’t judge; she loved everyone. And even in her final moments, she was still looking for ways to do good for her community, which, in her mind, included everyone.
Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you.
Simplified Summary
Singer and songwriter Dolly Parton died on August 25th. She was a generous woman who supported many charities through her life. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was one of her biggest impacts.
CFGV was the local partner for Imagination Library starting in 2008. We’ve seen over 1,000 local kids go all the way through the program. In 2021, the state of Colorado started to support the program in the state. And in 2025, we handed over administration for Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties to the Gunnison County Library. You can enroll a local child under the age of five here. You can donate to the Early Childhood Literacy Fund here. You can give in Dolly’s honor to continue Imagination Library here locally.
On September 25 (9.25), people all over the world will celebrate Dolly. You can join the local celebration at the Gunnison Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You could also go to the celebration at the Governor’s mansion that day in Denver.
We are grateful to Dolly for the example she set and the many ways she gave back to her community. We will always love you, Dolly.
