By Imani McClay
MORTON, Ill. (25 News) -A program created by Dolly Parton is continuing to provide free books to children in Tazewell County, following the country music icon’s death Tuesday at age 80.
The Morton Public Library helps run the Tazewell County chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The program has grown since launching in 2024. More than 3,000 children, about 48% of eligible kids in the county, are receiving a free book every month.
Families receive the books for free, regardless of income. Children can receive up to 60 books by their fifth birthday.
“It was so disappointing to hear of Dolly’s passing. She has been quite a light in this world through her charitable foundations. We are so very lucky to be a part of one of her charitable endeavors and knowing that she has set up this organization not to last her lifetime, but to last through the lifetime of the children,” said Ashley Velario, Tazewell County coordinator for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
How the program is funded
Local libraries and community partners help cover the cost of mailing the books. The Morton Library says the program will continue, with funding already set up for the years ahead.
How to sign up
More than 3 million free books are sent to children across the world each month. Families in Tazewell County can sign up online at imaginationlibrary.org or through the Morton Library’s webpage under programs for the Imagination Library.
For Peoria’s Imagination Library program, residents can click here.
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