Communities used Sept. 25 — a nod to Parton’s song “9 to 5” — to collect children’s books, place donations in little free libraries and remind parents the Imagination Library still delivers free books to young children.
Parton’s Imagination Library has delivered more than 300 million free books worldwide and 25 million in North Carolina across all 100 counties.
Books collected in Raleigh were placed in five little free libraries across neighborhoods to expand access to physical children’s books.
# What happened on the first Dolly Parton Day
September 25 became a day for fans and communities to honor Dolly Parton by promoting children's literacy. In Raleigh, North Carolina volunteers organized a children's book drive in front of the Wake County Express Library. The drive gathered donated picture books and children's titles that will be placed into five small neighborhood libraries across the city.
The date 9/25 references Parton's song "9 to 5." Governor Josh Stein declared the day Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Day of Reading in North Carolina to recognize her philanthropy and the ongoing book-distribution program established by Parton.
# Why communities focused on books
Local volunteers said physical books can open a child's world at a time when screens increasingly crowd attention. Organizers framed the book drive as a practical way to continue Parton's goal of getting books into homes and hands.
# The Raleigh book drive: who and what
Nick Blanchard and Kelly Forbes led the Raleigh effort. Blanchard described wanting to do something in Parton's honor that tied back to her literacy work. Forbes enlisted her employer, Team Triangle Realty, to donate books and sponsor one of the little libraries.
Collected books will be distributed to little box libraries in five neighborhoods so families can access titles without a formal checkout process. Organizers emphasized inclusivity of reading material for different ages and stages.
# What the Imagination Library does now
# How this local action connects to wider activity
The Raleigh drive is one example of how communities marked 9/25. Across the country, events included parades, lighting displays and other book drives. The focus in Raleigh remained specifically on creating sustainable access to physical books by stocking little libraries.
# Practical next steps for readers
# Local voices
Organizers framed the effort in straightforward terms: they wanted to honor Parton by continuing the reading habit she promoted. Volunteers emphasized that accessible, illustrated physical books are a direct way to invite young children into reading.
Nick Blanchard tumbled out of bed and poured himself a cup of ambition Friday morning, then headed straight to a table in front of the Wake County Express Library in downtown Raleigh. Blanchard and his friend Kelly Forbes were presiding over a children’s book drive to honor the late music icon and philanthropist Dolly
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Break out the glitter and rhinestones because Sept. 25 (or 9/25) is officially Dolly Parton day, honouring the late singer and her hit song '9 to 5.'
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