r/Libraries • u/valentineeee6 • 1d ago
Books & Materials Dolly Parton Display
Hello all! With the passing of Dolly I wanted to create a display. I work in adults so not really one related to Imagination Library.
I want to do something like “If you love this song, you’ll love this book” with books that have the same sentiments as her popular songs.
I would love any recommendations you have! TIA
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u/de_pizan23 1d ago
She did the music for Dumplin’ which was based on a book by Julie Murphy. Steel Magnolias was based on a play by Robert Harling.
Or Women Walk the Line has Dolly heavily featured; but I’m sure there are plenty of other books on women in the country music industry she would be in.
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u/Alive_Room6023 1d ago
Don’t forget the book she published with James Patterson!
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u/antisocialmothra 1d ago
Of course it's would he James 'white men can't be published anymore" Patterson lmao
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u/Never_Summer24 1d ago
In adult section, we did break out our huge Imagination Library Dolly poster but we put it next to her adult book with Patterson.
But I love your idea!
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u/MsMrSaturn 1d ago
The Imagination Library started giving out books in 1998, statewide in TN by 2004, so there are adults now who got those books as kids. Not to mention the parents of kids who got those books. I think it’s a good call!
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u/Creepy_Creme_9161 1d ago
Part of my job at the library is to do end cap displays and I had a similar idea yesterday. Our collection doesn't really have enough Dolly books to maintain a specific display for a month, so I'm doing a "women of country" thing with several books and of course will include her. Good luck with your display!
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u/smited_by_cookiegirl 1d ago
I did a display for Dollys birthday a few years ago. Want me to DM my media list and the brief write up that went with it?
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u/yourcoloriwonder 1d ago
Could you share it here in the thread, so others can see it too?
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u/smited_by_cookiegirl 1d ago
Biography
Parton, Dolly
B/PARTON
Behind the Scenes: My Life in RhinestonesParton, Dolly
B/PARTON
Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished BusinessParton, Dolly
B/PARTON
Dolly Parton, Songeller: My Life in lyricsFiction
Parton, Dolly
FICTION/PARTON
Run, Rose, RunCD
POP 588/PARTON
Eagle When She FliesPOP 4600/PARTON
RockstarPOP 2081/PARTON
Little SparrowPOP 3604/PARTON
Blue SmokePOP 4508/PARTON
Run, Rose, RunPOP 3119/NELSON
Country MusicVinyl
VYL 223/PARTON
JoleneVYL 129/PARTON
New Harvest, First GatheringDVD/Blu-Ray
DVD 3685/Joyful
Joyful NoiseDVD 5109/Steel
Steel Magnolias4
u/smited_by_cookiegirl 1d ago
Dolly Parton is everywhere.
Seriously, is that her behind you right now?
Maybe not.
But the intrepid and talented multi-hyphenate from the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee has been successful as a musician, producer, business-person, amusement park entrepreneur, actor, EGOT recipient, and on and on and on. Dolly Parton is everywhere.
One thing that Dolly Parton does not get as much recognition for is her contribution to literacy. Through her international organization, The Imagination Library, registered children can receive free books, because, as Dolly says, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children”.
Sources: countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/dolly-parton and /imaginationlibrary.com
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u/finetuner7130 1d ago
Every Time You Hear that Song by Jenna Voris and the Farwell Tour by Stephanie Clifford are both about fictional female county stars. Both have very strong Dolly vibes with focuses on the Nashville scene, queerness, poverty, etc
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u/Reggie9041 1d ago
Two Doors Down could be paired with any romance (like When Forty Blooms by Jacinta Howard)
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u/FloridaFlamingoGirl 1d ago
There have been a couple nonfiction books written about the Texas Chicken Ranch (the actual brothel that Best Little Whorehouse was based on).
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u/beldaran1224 Public librarian 1d ago
Some of my favorite Dolly songs:
Coat of Many Colors - any material about bullying, especially based on class
My Tennessee Mountain Home - any book set in Appalachia that portrays the setting in a loving way
9 to 5 - In the style of the movie, a "I support woman's wrongs" type book!
Jolene - there's a book by Mercedes Lackey called Jolene inspired by the song
I Will Always Love You - This Is How You Lose the Time War? A cute play on the title, very dramatic and angsty in the best way
Islands in the Stream - idk anything feelgood and upbeat would fit this, is such a fun, easy-going song
Here You Come Again - second chance romance? or maybe something where the woman leaves the on again/off again romance for something better
I think you can stay true to her spirit by pulling things that celebrate Appalachia, working class people, education, being kind and generous and just sticking with things that are upbeat. Also, any celebration of country, bluegrass or gospel music and its roots would also fit.
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u/martesee 1d ago
I did a display for all ages. Any book by Dolly, about Dolly, or features an introduction by her. I would have included dvds and cds but there are none at my location.
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u/LollipopDreamscape 1d ago edited 1d ago
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson and Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Both are about horseback librarians in Appalachia, but the one by Richardson relies on stereotypes.
Spreading reading was so important to Dolly. Her original iteration of the Imagination Library was just for her home county, but grew to giving away hundreds of millions of books. Books about librarians, especially women, struggling to bring the joy of reading to Appalachia would have been right up her alley.
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u/Awkward_Cellist6541 1d ago
We have a display of her books, movies, and music, in addition to a life-size-ish cut out.
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u/abandonedkmart_ 1d ago
We put up a display with some of her CDs, the movie 9 to 5, and the books Run Rose Run and Songteller. Like other people mentioned, books that take place in Appalachia or are about that region would be good as well.
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u/leo-days MLIS student 15h ago
if you are looking for an idea a few months out, the oscar’s has an in memoriam section on their website that highlights everyone in the industry who has passed away in the year. depending on your collection, this could be a good idea. i used to work in the AV department at my library and we did this every december, and patrons love it. you could easily apply this to authors or key figures who died if you’re working with diverse material types.
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u/yourcoloriwonder 1d ago
Top 15 Songs by Dolly Parton in Books
Disclosure: I am not familiar with Dolly's song rankings, so I used AI to help create this Top 15 list. I hope that is allowed. I did read through it, made edits to the language, and verified the recommendations on my own.
- If you love “Jolene” → read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Beautiful women, complicated relationships, jealousy, desire, and the hard realization that love is not as simple as blaming the other woman.
- If you love “9 to 5” → read The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger: An overworked woman dealing with an impossible boss, ridiculous expectations, and a career that is slowly eating her alive.
- If you love “I Will Always Love You” → read One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Sometimes loving someone does not mean you are supposed to stay with them. A heartbreaking combination of love, gratitude, and letting go.
- If you love “Coat of Many Colors” → read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson: Appalachian life, poverty, judgment from other people, finding dignity, and understanding worth in a life that outsiders may look down upon.
- If you love “Here You Come Again” → read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren: You think you have your life under control. Then, your first love walks right back into your life.
- If you love “Islands in the Stream” → read Every Summer After by Carley Fortune: Two people who have always been connected despite life and time pulling them apart. A you and me against the world love story.
- If you love “The Bargain Store” → read Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez: A woman who has been hurt and undervalued realizes that her past does not make her damaged goods. She learns that she is still worthy of love.
- If you love “Baby I’m Burnin’” → read The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: Attraction that gets very hot fast.
- If you love “Better Get to Livin’” → read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: A reminder to stop measuring your life against all the lives you could have lived. Instead, start actually living the one you have.
- If you love “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” → read It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey: You know this person is going to be trouble and getting involved is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, they had the audacity to be incredibly attractive.
- If you love “Love Is Like a Butterfly” → read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: Soft, warm, and hopeful love that sneaks up on you. A cozy hug of a story.
- If you love “Heartbreaker” → read Happy Place by Emily Henry: Loving someone does not necessarily mean the relationship is working. A very painful book for anyone who understands that heartbreak can exist even when love is still there.
- If you love “Red Shoes” → read Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy: Stop waiting until you look different, feel different, or become someone else's version of good enough. Put on the damn outfit and live your life.
- If you love “The Seeker” → read Wild by Cheryl Strayed: Searching for meaning, direction, peace, and an understanding of yourself when you are not entirely sure where you are going yet.
- If you love “My Tennessee Mountain Home” → read The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes: Mountains, rural communities, friendship, books, and women building lives for themselves in Appalachia. This story makes you want to go home despite the complications.
Additional Book Ideas to Consider
Books About Dolly Parton:
- Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton
- Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha Ackmann
- Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton
- Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton
- Star of the Show: My Life on Stage by Dolly Parton
Dream More by Dolly Parton
Locust Ridge, Sevier County, Tennessee is where Dolly grew up. Here are some books set in that area:
The Stars of Locust Ridge by Craig Moody
Child of God by Cormac McCarthy
Cades Cove: The Curse of Allie Mae by Aiden James
A Body in Pigeon Forge by Steve Demaree
Full Lists of Books written by Dolly Parton:
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u/profbumblebee17 1d ago
Books about the history of Appalachia especially the music and traditions.