Anchorage Assembly designates Sept. 25 as Dolly Day

More than 73,000 free books reach Anchorage homes each year through the Anchorage Imagination Library. The Assembly recognized that work Sept. 15 by designating Sept. 25 as Dolly Day.

The resolution cites the program, established in 2009 and run by the charitable organization Best Beginnings, which mails a book a month to more than 6,000 children from birth to age 5. Dolly Parton founded the national Imagination Library in 1995. The resolution notes her death and memorial contributions from residents and businesses, and it marks Sept. 25 for her association with "9 to 5." Vice Chair Daniel Volland and Assembly Members Erin Baldwin Day and Yarrow Silvers sponsored the measure.

In an October 2023 service update, Best Beginnings said that, due to limited funding, it was ending service in six zip codes. That cut the number of children served from 7,500 to just over 5,000. A separate post that month, addressing the mayor's proposed $250,000 for 2024, said the program was reaching only 3,500 of nearly 20,000 eligible children citywide.

The resolution asks residents to honor Parton's legacy by reading with children, distributing books and supporting local literacy efforts.