New York State launches literacy program tribute to Dolly Parton

New York State is launching a book-buying initiative through its Office of Children and Family Services as a tribute to the late country music icon Dolly Parton. The program seeks proposals from non-profit entities, such as school districts and hospitals, to partner in purchasing books from Parton’s Imagination Library.

The state intends to cover 50% of the costs, up to $50,000 per instance, along with mailing expenses. This funding aims to provide eligible children under the age of five with one book per month. Winning bidders will be responsible for the remaining costs and must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Imagination Library.

Dolly Parton passed away on August 25 at age 80 following a battle with cancer. She founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her illiterate father, and the program has since expanded globally to include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. In New York, approximately 170,000 children currently receive monthly books through the program.