Franklin County Library Foundation

The Franklin County Library Foundation, in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, inspires a love of reading by gifting FREE books every month to registered Franklin County children from birth to age five. 

A child’s early years are formative for learning, language, and literacy. When parents and children read together, bonds strengthen and the reading, language, and learning network in a child’s brain is strengthened. Interactive reading and book ownership help lay the foundation for future success in school and in life, and helps inspire a love of reading. We hope this program encourages families to come to our libraries to check out even more books and to get library cards for the children when they turn five.

The Dollywood Foundation administers and pays for a large part of the program, but our Foundation is responsible for $2.60 for every book mailed. Thanks to the Commonwealth of Virginia half of this cost is currently covered by the state, which means we are still responsible for $1.30 per month per child. As of the beginning of 2025 we have over 1,100 children registered. That's over $17,000 for this year alone, with the potential of doubling by the end of the year.  We need your help!

How does this great program work? Click for an overview!

Visit for more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Visit for more information about the Franklin County Library Foundation.

Checks are also welcome, made out to
Franklin County Library Foundation and mailed directly to:

Franklin County Library Foundation | P.O. Box 717 | Hardy, Va. 24101

Please note in the check comments "Contribution to the SML Gives Day" so the donation will count toward the overall goal.