Jan. 4, 2023 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is throwing a birthday party in Dolly Parton’s honor and inviting the public to join the celebration.  

The party will be Saturday, Jan. 20, 10 am-noon, at the Downtown Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. The event is free and open to the public.  

The Library Foundation is a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails free, age-appropriate books to the homes of children from birth to their fifth birthday. All Cedar Rapids children under age 5 are eligible to participate, regardless of income. 

Since 2018, nearly 12,000 children have been served by this program and more than 360,000 books have been mailed to Cedar Rapids families. 

Birthday party activities include: 

• 10:15 am: Welcome and sing happy birthday to Dolly 

• 10:30 am: Story time 

• 11 am: Dance party 

• 11:30 am: Story time 

Attendees may drop in and enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the morning. Grown-ups can register their children under 5 to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

The Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library will sell children’s books for $1 each, and community partners will provide resources and activities throughout the event 

This event is generously supported by presenting sponsors Knutson Construction and Bankers Trust. 

To learn more about the Imagination Library or to register a child, visit CRLibrary.org/children/imagination-library. 

About the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation: 

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 that serves as the vehicle through which private funds are used to enhance the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s collections, programs, and technologies while supporting the library’s strategic initiatives of literacy, access, and inclusion. Learn more at CRLibrary.org/Foundation.