Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public (suggested book(s) donation, see details below)
Join us on Saturday, October 19, 2:30 p.m. for a re-screening of The Library that Dolly Built, a documentary about the creation and impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Library that Dolly Built—directed and produced by journalism professor and director of Land Grant Films Nick Geidner and narrated by Danica McKellar—goes behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s literacy-focused non-profit, Imagination Library, to show how one of the most famous and beloved performers in the world has developed an efficient and effective program for spreading the love of reading. The 2020 film celebrates all the people who helped make Dolly’s dream come true and is 1 hour 30 minutes long.
This program is part of the NEA Big Read initiative themed on “Where We Live”; it is a partnership between the Bristol Public Library, Washington County (VA) Public Library, and the museum. The film screening is free and open to the public, but a donation at the door of a book (or books) aimed at 3rd-5th grade children is suggested. All books will be given to the Appalachian Literacy Initiative, based in Bristol, TN-VA.
You can use this link to see the full schedule of NEA Big Read programs at the museum, BPL, and WCPL during October and November 2024, including a book giveaway, book discussions, writing and family history workshops, author talks, and a storytelling evening!
Check out the trailer for The Library that Dolly Built:
About the NEA Big Read
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read—a partnership with Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goals of the NEA Big Read are to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.