Calgary branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to remain operational

The Calgary Public Library Foundation says its partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library will continue despite the star's death on Aug. 25, 2026. The program delivers a book to each child on their birthday up to age five. (Pexels/Caleb Oquendo)

An initiative to help foster a love of reading for thousands of Calgary children will stay despite the death of its celebrity benefactor Dolly Parton.

Since 2020, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has partnered with the Calgary Public Library through the My First Bookshelf program, a campaign that mails a free book to children on their birthday up to age five.

Parton died on Aug. 25. She was 80 years old.

No cause of death was disclosed, but Parton’s publicist said she died peacefully in Nashville. People magazine reported the star fought a “brief battle with cancer,” citing her representatives. Days earlier, Parton told the magazine she was dealing with unspecified health issues but planned to keep working.

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The Calgary Public Library Foundation says despite the star’s death, the literacy campaign will continue.

“We heard directly from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and they assured us they will continue their commitment to the children they serve,” the foundation said in a statement.

“Dolly started the Imagination Library to make sure every child could have books of their very own. She hoped those books would encourage children to love reading, dream more, and believe in themselves.”

Over the past five years, 204,297 books have been delivered to 8,321 Calgary children, the library says.

The foundation said her family encourages everyone who is grieving the loss to make a donation to My First Bookshelf in lieu of flowers.