CDM hosts Dolly Days all week long

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This weekend, the Creative Discovery Museum hosted Dolly Days, where the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library came together to encourage everyone to sign up and receive free books.

This event highlights Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the importance of reading.

As Dolly herself said, “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library advocates for literacy alongside Signal Centers, which also promotes literacy here in Chattanooga.

The director of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Lesa Witt, beamed with joy as little ones came in by the dozen to sign up and receive new reading material.

Witt explains that the library’s goal is to educate parents, grandparents, and caregivers on how important reading is during a child’s early fundamental years.

“Oh yes, absolutely. We just want to be advocates and bring the caregiver, the parent, and the child together to understand that reading is a big part of those fundamental early years so that they can create a strong foundation. When they begin their journey in their education process, they can be at grade level or accelerated to a higher level, allowing them to reach their full potential in their education.”

With Parton’s birthday coming up on January 19, the Discovery Museum and Imagination Library teamed up to celebrate early.

There were read-alouds, a craft-making station, and even a dance party where the famous singer’s most popular songs were played.

We asked Haven Hixon, a young fan, what her favorite song was.

She excitedly replied by singing into the mic, “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.”

During the fun event, the library helped parents and children sign up to receive free books that will be delivered to their home addresses.

“Oh, it’s just wonderful. We just love to see all the kids be able to reach their full potential in their literacy journey. As soon as they reach kindergarten, the objective is that they can actually talk with each other and have communication with the stories they read and experience through their reading, pictures, creativity, and comprehension, and just be able to share their experiences with the stories they’ve read throughout their young, young age.”

She goes on to inform viewers that throughout the week, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will be celebrating the star and will have passports that you can print online or pick up at one of the participating locations.

Those activities will be held at the Chattanooga Public Library.

“We just hope y’all come out, join us, and print out those passports to get them stamped for a chance at a free iPad.”