CITY OF FRESNO
___________________________________________ __________________________________________ JERRY P. DYER, Honorable Mayor TYLER MAXWELL, Council Vice President ____________________________________________ __________________________________________ NELSON ESPARZA, Council President ANNALISA PEREA, Councilmember, District 1
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ MIKE KARBASSI, Councilmember, District 2 MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember, District 3
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ BRANDON VANG, Councilmember, District 5 NICK RICHARDSON, Councilmember, District 6
Office of Council Vice President Tyler Maxwell
Is presented to:
Fresno County ’s Dolly Parton ’s Imagination Library
WHEREAS, Dolly Parton dedicated her life to inspiring generations through music, philanthropy, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of children; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, Dolly Parton founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in honor of her father and with the vision that every young child should have access to books and t he opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading; and
WHEREAS, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has grown into one of the world's largest book-gifting programs, providing free, age-appropriate books each month to millions of children from birth to age five regardless of income or background; and
WHEREAS, through the leadership of First 5 Fresno County , Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, and through and funding shared by community partners, private businesses, community donors, and the State of California, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library launched in Fresno County in February 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fresno has furthered this shared commitment to children and literacy through its investment in the local Imagination Library program, expanding access to books and supporting school readiness for Fresno's youngest residents; and
WHEREAS, since it’s launch, the program has mailed more than 168,000 books to over 15,000 children throughout Fresno County, helping families build home libraries and make reading a joyful part of children’s earliest years; and
WHEREAS, Dolly Parton's legacy continues to inspire communities to invest in children, strengthen families, and promote literacy as a foundation for lifelong success.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry P. Dyer, and the Fresno City Council, encourage residents to honor Dolly Parton’s legacy by reading with a child, supporting literacy efforts, and helping ensure every chi ld has access to books and the opportunity to reach their full potential, and do hereby proclaim Friday, September 25, 2026, as:
“Dolly Parton Day”
in the City of Fresno
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the Great Seal of the City of Fresno, California, This 17
th
day of September of the Year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six.