Written by Megan Mortis Director of Public Information/ Communications and Community Relations, Henderson County Schools
Photo by Mandy Sue Glaser,Wild WILD light Photography
Dolly Parton understood that a book could be so much more than pages and words. It could open a child’s imagination, encourage more dreams, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to benefit children in her home county in East Tennessee. Her vision was to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families by providing the gift of a specially selected book each month.
Today, that vision has grown into a worldwide program that gifts millions of free books to children each month. As Dolly Parton has shared, “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
In Henderson County, the program holds a particularly special place. As home to Kentucky’s first Imagination Library chapter, Henderson has been part of the program since 2002. Today, local volunteers continue working to ensure Dolly’s vision of fostering a love of reading reaches the next generation, one book at a time.
For the women who make up the Henderson Imagination Library Committee, the mission is personal. They believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading, and they are determined to help make that possible.
The committee brings together women with different backgrounds but a shared passion for early literacy. Retired teachers, library professionals, school personnel, and community members all join together to get more books into the hands of Henderson’s youngest readers.
The committee is led by Chair Danielle Anguish, alongside Patty Sellers, director of the Henderson Kentucky Education Foundation, and Vice Chair Megan Mortis. Members Doneta Williams, Shirley Wathen, Lisa Baird, Leslie Hoskins and Kelsie Todd round out the team.
What began as a shared commitment to a literacy program has blossomed into something even more meaningful, a group built on friendship, mentorship, collaboration and a common belief in the power of books.
For committee member and retired educator Leslie Hoskins, the program’s impact begins with the earliest opportunities children have to experience reading.
“My ‘why’ for helping with the Imagination Library Committee is that I truly believe the earlier children are exposed to the written word, the more accomplished students and citizens they will be,” Hoskins said. “Imagination Library exists for just that purpose and helps provide that written word directly to their homes once a month. I believe the local Imagination Library Committee is important because we help provide for the mailing of those precious books to our youngest children.”
Committee member Lisa Baird also understands the lasting impact reading can have on a child’s education. Her perspective was shaped in part by her time serving on the Henderson County Board of Education, where she saw the importance of building strong reading skills early.
“I have always believed kids need to be good readers,” Baird said. “When I served as board chair, I learned that the earlier kids learn to read, the easier it is for them to master other school subjects. Kindergarten through third grade is about learning to read, while fourth grade through high school is about reading to learn. I also believe that books fuel the imagination!”
For retired educator Donetta Williams, volunteering with the Imagination Library offered a meaningful way to stay connected to children and support their success.
“As a retired educator, I was eager to find something to do or volunteer for that connected me to kids and felt worthwhile,” Williams said. “The fact that this has connections to Dolly Parton really drew me in. I admire and respect her and her accomplishments. The idea that encouraging a love of reading from the beginning of life sets up success for life is absolutely intoxicating!”
Williams said the people behind the program have also made the experience especially rewarding.
“The reason I stayed and keep at it year after year is that the group of people on this committee are beyond wonderful and interesting to be around,” Williams said. “We enjoy the work together and feel like it matters.”
Their work extends well beyond committee meetings. Wherever families gather, the committee looks for opportunities to spread the word about the program.
From Readifest and Tri-Fest to Reading in the Park, downtown Halloween festivities and other community events, committee members are ready to share information, answer questions, and help families learn how to enroll their children.
In 2024, the community gathered at Audubon Mill Park to celebrate Henderson being the first Imagination Library chapter in Kentucky. The event offered an opportunity to reflect on the program’s local beginnings and celebrate the impact of the program.
That same year, some of the committee members traveled to Lexington to attend a statewide celebration honoring Dolly Parton and the expansion of the Imagination Library across Kentucky. The event was hosted by Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear and brought together local program partners, library professionals, and literacy advocates.For Danielle Anguish, chair of the Henderson Imagination Library Committee and Youth Services Coordinator for the Henderson County Public Library, the celebration was an especially memorable experience. She had the opportunity to see Dolly Parton perform and hear her speak about the program.
“It was magical! Getting to see Dolly Parton perform and hearing her talk about how much the program means to her was so special,” Anguish said. “You could feel the love for the Imagination Library in the room. Seeing how many communities have been touched by this program was incredible, and it reminded me that what we do here in Henderson is part of something so much bigger. I feel so lucky to have been there and will never forget it!”
In 2022, the Henderson Kentucky Education Foundation assumed responsibility for the local Imagination Library program from the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. Since then, the committee has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, enroll more children, and build community support for the program. Today, 1,492 children in Henderson County are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and approximately 6,500 children have received books through the local program over the years. This would not be possible without the generous support of the community.
“We are proud that Henderson has such a meaningful place in the history of the Imagination Library,” said Patty Sellers, director of the Henderson Kentucky Education Foundation. “It takes community support to keep this program going, and we are grateful for the individuals, businesses, and organizations that help us reach more families. Our goal is to make sure every eligible child in Henderson has the opportunity to participate.”
In November 2024, the committee introduced its first Christmas ornament fundraiser, featuring Henderson’s recognizable riverfront sign. The fundraiser returned in 2025 with an ornament featuring the Henderson County Public Library, and this year the collection continues with a new design highlighting the fountain in Central Park. Committee members are selling the 2026 ornaments for $20 each through Christmas and will be at multiple community events over the next few months.
The committee has also expanded its fundraising efforts through special events. In 2025, it hosted its first Storybook Gala, bringing adults together for an evening event followed by a family-focused event the next day.
This year, this committee is planning a “I Will Always Love You” evening on February 13, 2027, at the Henderson County Public Library. Inspired by one of Dolly Parton’s most beloved songs, the fundraiser will celebrate her enduring legacy while supporting the local Imagination Library.
The committee also recognized September 25, 2026, as Give Like Dolly Day in Henderson, celebrating Dolly Parton’s legacy and honoring her memory following her passing on August 25, 2026. The City of Henderson officially proclaimed the day by presenting a proclamation while community partners came together to raise funds in support of our local affiliate.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began with a simple desire to share the joy of books with children. In Henderson, that idea has grown into a community effort sustained by volunteers, donors, and families.
One book, one child, and one community at a time, Henderson’s Imagination Library legacy lives on.
For more information about the local program, visit: hendersonkyedfoundation.com.
Calling all Hendersonians!