We're Working 9-5 In Honor of Dolly, Right?
Ohio is working 9 to 5 Friday, but this time, it's for Dolly.
September 25, 2026, has officially been proclaimed Dolly Parton Day in Ohio, honoring Dolly's life, legacy, and incredible generosity. And of course they picked 9/25. We see what you did there, Ohio. 💖
Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel issued the proclamation as Ohio joins the celebration of Give Like Dolly Day, a day dedicated to carrying on Dolly's commitment to children, literacy, and her beloved Imagination Library.
And Dolly's impact right here in Ohio is MASSIVE.
More Than One Million Ohio Kids Have Been Part of Dolly's Imagination LibrarySince Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio became a statewide program in 2019, more than one million children across all 88 Ohio counties have participated.
Today, more than 432,000 Ohio children receive a free book in the mail every month, representing about 65% of eligible children in the state.
Even crazier? More than 28 MILLION books have been mailed to Ohio children since 2019.
That's a whole lot of bedtime stories.
Every Ohio child from birth through age five is eligible for the program, which sends one age-appropriate book directly to their home every month at no cost to their family.
So How Can You "Give Like Dolly?"
You don't need a rhinestone-covered checkbook.
Start with the easiest one: read with a kid.
Grab your little one, grandchild, niece, nephew, or favorite tiny human and spend some time reading together on Friday. Bonus points if it's the same book your toddler has demanded approximately 4,782 times this month.
You can also support your local Imagination Library program or make a Dolly-inspired $9.25 donation in honor of 9/25.
And if there's an Ohio child under five in your life who isn't enrolled yet, fix that!
Enroll a child or learn more about Ohio's Imagination Library
Take a Dolly-Inspired Adventure
Want to get out of the house?
Ohio families can also explore Imagination Library Storybook Trails, which combine a walk outside with reading. Pages from a children's book are displayed along the trail, allowing kids to read the story as they make their way along the path.
That sounds like a pretty solid fall family adventure to us.
Columbus Is Celebrating Dolly, Too!
Central Ohio has its own Dolly celebration Friday.
The Whetstone Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, located at 3909 N. High Street, is hosting Dolly Day from 9 AM–5 PM.
Families can take a picture with a life-sized Dolly, make sparkly crafts, learn how to sign their kids up for the Imagination Library, and participate in a Dolly-inspired STEAM activity.
And our friends north of Columbus are getting in on it, too. Delaware County District Library is celebrating Dolly throughout the entire week of September 21–26 with special storytimes, activities and help getting kids registered for the Imagination Library.
Dolly asked for a brighter day… and apparently Mother Nature listened. 💖
After all the rain left the parking lot too muddy, Van Buren Acres has moved its Dolly Parton Day celebration to Saturday, September 26.
They'll be CLOSED Friday, September 25, and reopen Saturday from 10 AM–7 PM for a full Dolly celebration.
Wear your favorite Dolly Parton shirt and make a day of it!
- 📚 Dolly Storytimes: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 5:30 PM
- 🦋 Butterfly Release: 1 PM in the zinnia field
- 🌻 Where: 5066 Keller Road, Hebron
- 🎟️ Admission: $12 per person
- 👶 Ages 2 and under are FREE
- 🎃 Season Pass: $28 per person and includes a coupon for one free U-pick pumpkin from the U-pick pumpkin patch
- ⏰ Saturday hours: 10 AM–7 PM
Dolly's Ohio Legacy Is Sitting on Millions of Bookshelves
We obviously know Dolly for the songs.
The hair. The rhinestones. The one-liners. "Jolene." "9 to 5." "I Will Always Love You."
But there's something pretty special about knowing that one of her biggest legacies sits on bookshelves in children's bedrooms all across Ohio.
More than a million Ohio kids have already been part of the Imagination Library.
And somewhere in Ohio tonight, a kid is probably going to yell "AGAIN!" when Mom or Dad gets to the last page of one of those books. We think Dolly would love that
Happy Dolly Parton Day, Ohio. 💖📚
Celebrate 9/25 by reading a book, helping an Ohio child get enrolled, supporting your local program or simply finding your own little way to Give Like Dolly.
🫶🏻 Emyle
