Knox County Library will celebrate Dolly Parton's birthday and her contributions to kids' reading programs through the Imagination Library. The celebration will be on Jan. 19th at various library locations. The Library will also be offering a specially designed library card for kids. Since 2005, the Knox County Library has sent 2.5 million books to Knox County kids. More details in the press release after the break...

Join us to celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday and get a children’s library card

Knox County Public Library and Imagination Library to host special birthday celebrations for Dolly on January 19

(Knoxville, TN – January 9, 2018) Join the Imagination Library and Knox County Public Library to celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday on January 19 at 10:30 a.m. Seven participating library locations (see list below) will host free story time programs with crafts and cupcakes, and guests can help make Dolly Parton’s 8-foot-long birthday card. The Knox County Imagination Library program will celebrate its own milestone as well: since 2005, the program has mailed out 2.5 million books to Knox County children under the age of five.

To honor East Tennessee’s favorite “Book Lady”, the Library is encouraging all children to sign up for their own library card inspired by Dolly’s love of butterflies. The specially-designed card features the tagline “Reading gives you wings” and will be introduced in conjunction with her birthday celebration on January 19. Children of all ages, including infants, qualify for a children’s card, which has some restrictions. Children must be present to apply and parents must provide identification and address verification in order to receive the special children’s card. All new cards are free for Knox County residents.

When children have their own library card, they are more excited about reading and coming to the library, and they begin to learn responsibility for the items they check out.

Dolly Parton birthday celebrations will be held at the following library locations:

• Bearden, 100 Golfclub Road
• Burlington, 4614 Asheville Highway
• Cedar Bluff, 9045 Cross Park Drive
• Fountain City, 5300 Stanton Road
• Halls, 4518 E. Emory Road
• Lawson McGhee, 500 W. Church Avenue
• Powell, 330 W. Emory Road

About Imagination Library of Knox County

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Knox County mails one new, age-appropriate book each month to any Knox County child from birth until age five at no cost to the family. Each book arrives in the child's name and is theirs to keep, read and enjoy. All eligible children are encouraged to participate regardless of family income. We encourage parents to enroll siblings so that each child can receive his or her own book in the mail. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Knox County is administered by the Knox County Public Library and is supported by an independent Board of Advisors who works to raise funds for the program.

About Knox County Public Library

Since 1886, the people of Knox County have had access to an impressive collection of library resources. As the oldest continuously operating public library in the state of Tennessee, we have a proud heritage. Today, the Knox County Public Library is pleased to offer more than one million books, periodicals, compact discs, films, audiobooks and downloadables through 19 locations across Knox County including one of the premier historical and genealogical collections in the Southeast. www.knoxlib.org.