Chestermere Proclaims September 25 Dolly Parton and Imagination Library Day
The City of Chestermere has proclaimed September 25, 2026 as Dolly Parton and Imagination Library Day, celebrating early literacy and the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on local children and families.
The proclamation recognizes the importance of early access to books and celebrates the local success of the Imagination Library of Chestermere, which has been providing free books to children in the community since 2021.
More than 500 Chestermere children are currently registered with the program, and more than 16,000 books have been gifted to local children since the program launched.
Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, children from birth to age five receive a free, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their homes every month, at no cost to their families.
The September 25 proclamation also coincides with the first Give Like Dolly Day, a new annual initiative from The Dollywood Foundation encouraging communities to support their local Imagination Library programs.
What is Give Like Dolly Day?
Give Like Dolly Day is a chance for people to celebrate the impact of books and help ensure children continue receiving them every month.
The Imagination Library of Chestermere is encouraging residents to give $9.25 on September 25, or donate whatever amount they can. Donations help cover the cost of providing free monthly books to local children.
Community members can also participate without making a donation. Residents are encouraged to:
Wear pink on September 25
Turn exterior house lights pink
Share information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Encourage friends and family to support Imagination Library
Help spread the word about free books for Chestermere children
Celebrating Early Literacy in Chestermere
Dolly Parton founded Imagination Library in 1995 in honour of her father, who was unable to read or write. What began as a local effort has grown into an international program that has gifted more than 300 million books to children.
In Chestermere, the program is made possible through local fundraising, donations and community support.
The September 25 proclamation is an opportunity to celebrate what the Imagination Library of Chestermere and the community have accomplished together, while helping ensure local children continue to receive the gift of a book every month.
How to Support Imagination Library of Chestermere
Want to help put more books into the hands of Chestermere children?
On September 25, consider making a $9.25 donation for Give Like Dolly Day, or give whatever amount works for you.
And if donating isn't possible, sharing the campaign is another way to Give Like Dolly and help spread the word about early literacy and Imagination Library in Chestermere.
