[Marion, Illinois] — Southern Illinois communities will join others across the nation in celebrating ” 9 to 5 Dolly Day” on September 25, 2026 honoring the life, values, and legacy of the beloved Dolly Parton. Known worldwide for her music, philanthropy, and unwavering kindness, Dolly’s impact extends far beyond the stage — especially through her Imagination Library, which has gifted millions of free books to children to spark a lifelong love of reading.
This year’s celebration will focus on Dolly’s core values:
Service to others
Philanthropy and generosity
Kindness and compassion
The importance of early literacy
How to Celebrate Dolly Day in Southern Illinois
DPIL Dolly Day Flyer corrected
Individuals, libraries, schools, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to join in the celebration with activities that reflect Dolly’s spirit and help raise funds for the Imagination Library. The goal is to raise enough funds to support enrollment in the library for 925 children at a cost of $16 per child. A list of suggested activities is available on the Read Si website at www.readsi.org
Some suggested Ideas include:
Dress Like Dolly: Wear your most colorful, sparkly, or country-inspired outfit to work or school.
Read-a-Thon for a Cause: Host a reading challenge and collect pledges to support local Imagination Library programs.
Library Story Hours: Feature Dolly’s favorite children’s books and songs for families.
“Dine for Dolly” Nights: Restaurants can donate a portion of sales to the Imagination Library
Kindness Challenges: Encourage acts of kindness in workplaces, classrooms, and neighborhoods.
Purchase Imagination Library t shirts – a list of pick up locations throughout the region will be included on the order form
Celebrate creativity while raising funds for literacy.
Why It Matters
The Imagination Library mails free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, helping them build early literacy skills and a love for reading. In Southern Illinois alone, the program has delivered tens of thousands of books to local children — a gift that lasts a lifetime.
“Dolly Day is more than a celebration of an icon — it’s a call to action,” said Matt Nation of the Southern Illinois Community Foundation. Lori Longueville of the Read SI Steering added “By coming together in Dolly’s honor, we can share her values of kindness and generosity while ensuring every child has the gift of books in their home.”
Get Involved
To learn more about Dolly Day events in Southern Illinois or to donate to the Imagination Library, visit www.readsi.org.