Missouri cuts funding for Dolly Parton’s free book program: reports

Dolly Parton: The life of a leading lady in music and kindness

A quick look at the incredible life of Dolly Parton.

The popular book program founded by legendary country singer Dolly Parton suffered a budget cut in one of its available states. 

Missouri is reportedly no longer able to accept new children into Imagination Library, a literacy program that sends free books every month to kids five and under. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

FILE - Singer Dolly Parton reads her book, "The Coat of Many Colors" to schoolchildren at The Library of Congress on February 27, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shannon Finney/ Getty Images)

The backstory:

Inspired by her upbringing, the 80-year-old star has made it her mission over the past three decades to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program. 

Her father grew up poor and never got the chance to learn to read.

Dig deeper:

The program started in a single county in her home state of Tennessee in 1995 and has spread from there. It sends an age-appropriate book to registered children each month at no cost to the family. 

It operates from funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners, according to the program’s website. 

By the numbers:

More than 318 million books have been gifted, and the program is available even outside the United States. 

RELATED: Dolly Parton is sending free books to children across 21 states — and worldwide

Missouri’s program budget

Big picture view:

Imagination Library was expanded and adopted in the state of Missouri in 2023, becoming available to all children under five. 

News Tribune reports that in 2025, Missouri was one of 11 states to provide full government investment and statewide coverage for the program. An additional 13 states provide at least partial coverage with state funding, while Montana is reportedly the lone state to provide full coverage using private investment.

By the numbers:

The Kansas City Star reports about 45% of Missouri kids under the age of 6 were registered for the program statewide. 

Both local reports said the program’s budget was cut in the state from $6 million to $2 million for the upcoming fiscal year. 

What's next:

The budget cut means no new children or families will be able to sign up to get the free books, the Kansas City Star reported.