The United Way of Fayette County and The Dollywood Foundation are presenting a free, one-night-only live streaming world premiere event for “The Library That Dolly Built,” a behind-the-scenes look at Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Originally scheduled as a nationwide live event on more than 300 screens this spring, the world premiere for The Library That Dolly Built has been re-imagined as a free live stream screening of the film, exclusively on Facebook, available nationally on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The screening will be followed by a conversation with, and live acoustic performance, by Dolly Parton.
Viewers can tune into the live screening and conversation on FB.ME/dollysimaginationlibrary and ImaginationLibrary.com. In addition, the European premiere will be Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. GMT, and the Australian premiere will be Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. AEDT.
Parton created the Imagination Library to inspire a love for books and reading amongst the nation’s preschool children. Since inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has grown into a global endeavor and recently hit a new milestone, gifting its 150 millionth book. The Imagination Library is currently gifting books to 1.7 million children around the world each month.
Dolly Parton said, “I am so excited that we can finally tell the whole story of the Imagination Library. It is certainly not just about me. Our story is the story of children, of families and communities who all share the dream to inspire kids to love to read and to love to learn. My hope is this documentary will encourage more towns, more states and even more countries to jump on board. One thing is for sure, I think this is the best investment I have ever made!”
Debbie Bryant, director of The United Way of Fayette County, said that “our program has grown by leaps and bounds and we are excited that Fayette County children are excited about books! With that being said, we need support to keep the program alive and growing in Fayette County. We now have over 650 children registered here in Fayette County! You can help by going to The United Way of Fayette County Facebook page and donate during our fundraiser or simply send a donation to United Way of Fayette County, 133 S. Main St. Suite 20, Washington Court House, OH 43160.”
The Library That Dolly Built, directed and produced by journalism professor and director of Land Grant Films Nick Geidner, and narrated by Danica McKellar, goes behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to show how one of the most famous and beloved performers in the world has partnered with thousands of local community organizations to develop an efficient and effective program for spreading the love of reading.
Imagination Library started as a gift for the children in Dolly’s hometown, Sevierville, Tennessee, and is now active in all 50 states, and five countries, gifting 1.7 million free, age-appropriate books to children every month. The film also provides a glimpse of the profound impact the Imagination Library has on the people through original interviews with authors, policymakers, Imagination Library staff, recipients, and the legend herself, Dolly Parton.
Woven throughout the film is a biographical sketch of Dolly Parton, featuring rare photos and films from her childhood. Unlike most biographies of Dolly, it doesn’t focus on her music. Instead, it demonstrates that at every point in her career, any time she has had success, Dolly Parton has come back to Sevierville to give back to her people.
For more information, please visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/film
