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Dolly Parton’s Legacy of Literacy Lives On Through Ohio Hospitals

August 28, 2026

Ohio hospitals are helping carry forward Dolly Parton’s legacy of literacy by connecting families with her Imagination Library from the earliest days of a child’s life. Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist whose Imagination Library has provided free books to millions of children, died this past week. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags at state buildings flown at half-staff Tuesday in her honor.

Parton’s connection to Ohio grew significantly in 2019, when First Lady Fran DeWine spearheaded efforts to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to all 88 Ohio counties. Since then, more than 1 million Ohio children have received nearly 28 million free books through the program, according to Fran DeWine.

“Her devotion to children and literacy is unparalleled,” Fran DeWine said in a statement this week. “Because of Dolly, millions of children around the country and the world are getting free books and learning how to read, which will, in many cases, change the trajectory of their lives.”

OHA joined the effort in 2021 after the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library approached the association for help expanding awareness among member hospitals. Fran DeWine and Terry Burns of Kettering Health presented on the program during OHA’s June 2021 Board meeting, helping launch outreach to Ohio delivery hospitals and encouraging families to enroll their children before leaving the hospital.

That work reached a new milestone in August 2025, when enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library became part of the birth certificate paperwork process at hospitals statewide. Parents completing vital statistics paperwork can now enroll their newborns to receive a free, age-appropriate book in the mail each month from birth until age 5, making Ohio the only state in the country to offer enrollment through birth certificate paperwork at every hospital.

Ohio’s success in expanding the Imagination Library brought Parton to the state in 2022 and helped further highlight the impact of her vision. While Ohio mourns the loss of a beloved entertainer and philanthropist, hospitals across the state will continue playing a role in connecting new families with a program that reflects one of Parton’s most enduring gifts: helping children build a lifelong love of reading.

“Her generosity and selfless spirit leave a legacy that will live on for generations to come,” Fran DeWine said. “We remain incredibly grateful for her compassion and commitment to others.”

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