Kansas City, MO, August 25, 2026 —

Kansas City is marking the passing of music icon Dolly Parton, 80, not only with tributes to her musical career but also by highlighting her enduring impact on childhood literacy.

Following news of Parton’s death, local radio personality Jim Daniels of KFKF dedicated an hour of his program to playing her music, honoring her extensive catalog.

Beyond her music, Parton is being remembered for her profound contributions to early childhood literacy through her program, The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. This initiative provides free books to children from birth to the age of five.

In Kansas City, the literacy organization Lead to Read KC has a partnership with the Imagination Library. The organization collects returned books from the program and redistributes them to children in need within the local community.

The Imagination Library’s launch in Missouri was celebrated at an event in 2024 held at the Folly Theater. Dolly Parton herself attended the event.

However, the future of the Imagination Library in Missouri faces challenges. Due to reductions in the state budget, the program will be unable to accept new applications after July 1, 2026.



Story summarized from the original created by Betsy Webster on www.kctv5.com, see more information here.

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