Dolly Parton’s Literacy Program Defunded in Indiana

In a recent budget bill, Indiana politicians targeted Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a nonprofit focused on developing literacy by providing free books to children. According to South Bend Tribune, the state’s budget funded 50% of the program, with the other half coming from local organizations. Now in their efforts to defund beneficial social programs, the Indiana House introduced Bill 1001. While an early stage of the bill, it completely cuts the funding to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends children books directly to kids, from newborns to 5-year-olds. It reached Indiana in 2018 by sending books to four key counties. In 2023, the program expanded to all Indiana counties. The Dollywood Foundation covers the overhead costs and administrative needs of getting books into the hands of children. In subsidizing the program, advocates point out that the Indiana government spends only $1 per month per child, a very reasonable spend.

Republican lawmaker Dale DeVon says there is a possibility to restore funding in April once revenue projections are clearer. Jeff Coyners, Vice Chair and President of the Dollywood Foundation, tells Rolling Stone he hopes state governor Braun and Indiana’s congress will restore funding for the program. “The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all—regardless of politics—because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed,” Conyers says.

Indiana has faced a literacy problem since before the pandemic. Since introducing the IREAD tests to third-graders in 2013, reading ability has dropped significantly. But reading scores have been on the rise since 2021, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Dolly Parton’s literacy social work continues to support and reward everyday people. In 2024, when drag queen Bridgette Bandit was photographed holding a children’s book at a protest, Dolly Parton sent the drag queen a guitar as thanks.

Photo courtesy of social media