On ‘9 to 5’ day, North Carolinians celebrate Dolly Parton and her love of literacy 

Nick Blanchard tumbled out of bed and poured himself a cup of ambition Friday morning, then headed straight to a table in front of the Wake County Express Library in downtown Raleigh.

Blanchard and his friend Kelly Forbes were presiding over a children’s book drive to honor the late music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton.

Gov. Josh Stein declared September 25th, or 9/25, officially “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Day of Reading” across North Carolina in memory of the Tennessee musician, her hit song “9 to 5,” and her philanthropic generosity to Helene victims as well as young readers.

Parton’s Imagination Library, launched in 1995, has delivered more than 300 million free books to children around the globe. In North Carolina, the initiative has delivered 25 million free books to children in all 100 counties.

“I had an idea of just doing something in Dolly’s honor,” said Blanchard. “She was so entrenched with children’s literacy. And I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to all get together and give books.”

On this day, all the books collected by Blanchard and Forbes will end up in little box libraries in five neighborhoods across the city.

“You can’t get along with this world without reading,” said Blanchard. “Dolly really wanted to get people involved in reading from birth. And that’s why we’re collecting so many different kinds of books.”

Forbes said she welcomed the chance to be a part of the inaugural event, getting her employer Team Triangle Realty to donate books, and even sponsoring one of the little libraries.

“I do absolutely love [Dolly] and everything that she stands for,” said Forbes. “What a good person she was! And we love to honor her memory this way.”

Forbes said a beautifully illustrated, physical book can open the world of reading to a young person at a time when too many people are fixated on screens.

“I think that it’s sad that people use screen time to babysit their children,” said Forbes. “Picking up a book for a kid is fabulous.”

While Parton died at age 80 on Aug. 25, her dream of sending a free book every month to children from birth until they reach 5 years old is still alive through The Dollywood Foundation. Here’s where parents can subscribe at no cost.