Fact Check: Did Dolly Parton's Imagination Library donate books to children in Israel?
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Amid news of singer Dolly Parton’s death at age 80 in August 2026, many people have revisited her charitable work through the Imagination Library.
She founded the organization to provide free books to children. As interest in Parton’s legacy grows, a claim has circulated online that the Imagination Library donated books to children in Israel.
Claim: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library donated books to children in Israel
Some posts claimed Parton worked with PJ Library, an organization that provides free books to Jewish children around the world, including in Israelk1tkatclubs/X) The claim sparked an online debate on X over whether Dolly Parton had donated books to children in Israel, amid broader discussions about her views on Israel.
Some posts claimed Parton worked with PJ Library, an organization that provides free books to Jewish children worldwide, including in Israel.
One X user wrote, “People accusing Dolly of being evil because she MAYBE donated books to some Israeli children?” The post continued, "Maybe i’m not woke but if she did, i don’t think helping young children who can’t control where they are born is that big of a deal?? Like I am anti israel 100% but all kids need books."
Parton’s 2023 interview with PJ Library was also shared as evidence. However, in the interview, Parton explained that PJ Library was inspired by Imagination Library.
She said, “Well, I'm always honored when my Imagination Library inspires others, like Harold Grinspoon and PJ Library. That is so very special to me — especially because the Imagination Library comes from a very personal place for me.”
She also congratulated PJ Library on its growth, saying, “First of all, congratulations, PJ Library! I'm thrilled to celebrate milestones with you!” Parton then highlighted the reach of her own program, adding, “We were thrilled to celebrate our 100 millionth book in 2018, and here we are just five years later celebrating 200 million books worldwide. Isn't that amazing?”
Fact Check: No evidence to prove the claim
The claim is false. There is no evidence that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has ever operated in Israel. According to the organization’s website, the program operates in the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia.
The Imagination Library was contacted about claims linking the program to Israel. Tracy Long, a director at the Dollywood Foundation, which funds the Imagination Library, referred to the organization’s website, which lists the five countries where it operates.
The confusion appears to stem from PJ Library, a program run by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a Jewish philanthropic organization. PJ Library provides books to Jewish children around the world and operates in Israel through its Hebrew-language program, Sifriyat Pijama, and its Arabic-language companion program, Maktabat al-Fanoos.
Although PJ Library was inspired by the Imagination Library, the two organizations did not have a formal partnership.
Parton praised PJ Library’s work in a 2023 interview, but she did not financially support the program, according to PJ Library spokesperson Mark Gold. Gold said in an email, “No, there was never a formal partnership between PJ Library and the Imagination Library, nor did Ms. Parton donate books or funds to PJ Library or PJ Library initiatives in Israel.”
Gold added that Harold Grinspoon was inspired by the Imagination Library, but PJ Library was developed independently. He said, “PJ Library is funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and other partners who contribute directly to the PJ Library program.”
