Directed and produced by Nick Geidner and narrated by actress and author Danica McKellar, The Library That Dolly Built takes viewers behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — the globally recognized early childhood book-gifting program that has mailed over 307 million books to young children, at no cost to their families. What began in 1995 as a local effort in Tennessee has grown into the world’s leading early childhood literacy initiative.

The documentary highlights the vision, infrastructure, partnerships, and passionate community members who have helped transform Dolly Parton’s dream into a worldwide movement for literacy. Backed by extensive research showing measurable improvements in early childhood literacy metrics, the Imagination Library has earned numerous national and international honors, including the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and recognition from the Library of Congress.

In our 5-county region, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library GTR is a nonprofit community partner whose dedicated team of volunteers enrolls local children and raises the money that pays for the books mailed to them. All children in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties are eligible to participate from birth until their fifth birthday. Today, 4,474 children in our community are receiving monthly books. That is 56% of all eligible children across the region. Although the program is free to participating families, it is fully supported by the generosity of local donors.

This film screening offers local families, educators, and community members an opportunity to celebrate the power of books in a child’s earliest years. A donation of $10 is suggested to help pay for the books mailed to local children.

EVENT DETAILS
📍 Location: Elk Rapids Cinema
📅 Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕕 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎬 Film Begins: 7:00 PM
🎟 Admission: Free and open to the public (A donation of $10 is suggested to help pay for the books mailed to local children)
⏱ Runtime: 1 hour 8 minutes
Community members of all ages are warmly invited to attend.