TENNESSEE LEADERS PLEDGE 100% STATE FUNDING FOR DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Chairman Bo Watson have announced a major commitment to early childhood education, pledging that the state will assume 100% of the local costs for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the upcoming 2027 budget.
Currently, the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation splits the program’s costs with local governments to provide free books to children across the state. With nearly 70% of Tennessee children already enrolled, state leaders noted that strong fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget have created the capacity to cover the entire program statewide.
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Statewide Legacy: Launched by Dolly Parton in Sevier County in 1995, the program has grown from a local initiative into a global movement, delivering over 304 million free books worldwide.
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Shared Vision: Speaker Sexton emphasized that funding the program fully is a fitting tribute to Parton’s lasting impact, while Chairman Watson highlighted early literacy as a foundational priority for children’s success.
State leaders believe this complete state backing will guarantee that every child in every Tennessee community has uninterrupted access to the program, regardless of zip code or financial circumstances.
