Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Reveals New Website

New Online Features Promise Better Service For All

PIGEON FORGE, TN – We here at Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is excited to announce the launch of our brand new website. Recent additions have improved our registration process, spotlight affiliate successes, and enabled sharing of Imagination Library news across social networks with just one click.

Due to a growing number of requests to replicate Dolly Parton's the Imagination Library program in new communities, the “Start A Program” form was introduced to help get the process rolling. From there, view informational videos, download helpful documents and presentations built to help with each step of the replication process. For example, potential new champions are automatically assigned a Regional Director to help them each step of the way. 

In addition, the state of the art “Cost Estimator Tool” combines census data, custom Google Maps, and an algorithm that instantly calculates the estimated cost of program launch with a 5-year projected cost based on program growth. Starting a program has never been this easy!

The online registration rates for the Imagination Library doubled in 2011 alone! 

With such a large number, a new and improved online registration system has been designed to increase that amount once again for 2012. To do that, we have cut registration time in half and implemented more user friendly means of producing more accurate data. Now, before parents submit their child’s information, the system checks for: duplicate information, eligibility, and a verified address to ensure book delivery. To make it even better, we will be rolling this feature out for Canada and the United Kingdom very soon!

A brand new Champion Spotlight was created to bring attention to those working hard for their community. In this section, visitors can read of successes, find contact information, use an interactive map, and meet the Regional Director for their area.

A “Chalkboard Ticker” has been installed on the site’s homepage so that viewers can be updated in real-time to know how many children are registered in each country. Users can also get rid of any language barrier with a Google Translate feature that translates nearly any language to another. Finally, a Tool Bar has been added to the bottom of the page that makes following the Imagination Library’s social networks easy (the Tool Bar is still in BETA testing and currently available in the U.S. only).

S.D. Professionals, the website designers and developers, have been Imagination Library partners for more than ten years. They began transforming the program in 2005 with the introduction of an online book ordering system. The new system allowed for the Imagination Library’s international expansion into Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as accommodating more than 700,000 book orders each month.

To see the new site and browse around, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

For more technical information regarding our new features, checkout SD Professionals blog. 

###

Dolly's press conference RESTORE THE DREAM!

Click here to watch the video of Dolly's recent press conference when she announced her $250,000.00 donation for Nashville Flood Relief: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y62MkHk0FC4

Introduced by David Dotson, President of Dolly's Imagination Library, and welcomed by members of the press, Dolly spoke about the campaign specifically created to assist nonprofit organizations throughout the surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee recover and resume operations in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

Joining Dolly Parton to present the funds are Mayor Karl Dean and representatives of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. The Restore the Dream Fund will specifically work with Family Resource Centers to meet the needs of those hardest hit from the flooding in early May.

Imagination Library Support Team helps out with Nashville Flood Relief

Funds raised by Dolly, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede and S.D. Professionals' online campaign, specifically earmarked by Parton to help devastated families restore and renovate.

Dolly Parton presented $250,000, in Nashville to Mayor Karl Dean and United Way representatives, with the money specifically designated by Parton to aid Nashville-area flood victims who are restoring and rebuilding in the flood’s aftermath.

After much consideration, Parton decided to donate the funds raised during her Dolly Helps Nashville event on May 22 and 23 to the United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund. The donation includes net admission proceeds from Parton’s Dollywood and Dixie Stampede properties in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as well as fan contributions to DollyParton.com.

“My husband took me to see the damage done by the flooding, and I was absolutely unprepared for what I saw,” Parton said. “I knew right then and there that something had to be done to get those families who’d lost everything back in their homes. And that’s what the mayor, the other Karl Dean, and the United Way have so graciously agreed to help me do. Get this money to those folks who are hurting the most.”

The United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund was established to assist nonprofit organizations throughout Middle Tennessee recover and resume operations in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The fund is managed and administered by United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. The Restore the Dream Fund will specifically work with Family Resource Centers to meet the needs of those hardest hit. In addition, none of Parton’s contribution will be used to cover the agency’s administrative fees.

Parton also challenged area East Tennessee businesses to join the effort which was met by S.D. Professionals, the company that designed DollyParton.com and facilitated online donations.

“I know that it’s going to take a lot of effort and hard work and money to reverse the damage,” Parton added. “I know, too, that folks in Nashville have been great supporters of Dollywood and Dixie Stampede, so I wanted to let them know that we understand that they are suffering, and we’re here to help like good neighbors should. As my Dollywood theme park marks its 25th anniversary this season, we’re celebrating the dreamer in everybody. I think it’s really fitting that we can work through the Restore the Dream Fund, and, with this contribution, help bring dreams and hopes and peace of mind to my fellow Nashvillians.”

Nashville Flood Victim Relief set to be announced by Dolly Parton LIVE on theSmokies.TV Livestream

Watch live streaming video from thesmokies at livestream.com

Dolly Reaches out to Sevier County and the World!

Sevier County super star Dolly Parton is reaching out to the world on behalf of Nashville flood victims. Gathering all her considerable resources in the effort, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and local media company S.D. Professionals, LLC have joined together to assist in raising the funds needed.

May 22 and 23 have been designated as 'Dolly Helps Nashville' at her area attractions. Admission proceeds from Dollywood and Dixie Stampede will benefit Music City flood victims. Dolly herself will be appearing to promote the event and encourage generous donations. Those unable to attend this weekend are asked to watch a special video of Dolly and contribute to the cause at www.DollyParton.com, a website donated by S.D. Professionals, LLC to allow donations from all over the world.

“We're honored to be a part of 'Dolly Helps Nashville' states Jacob Timmons, S.D. Professionals owner. “We challenge Sevier County to give back to our friends and family who have suffered such a devastating loss.”

Please visit www.DollyParton.com for complete details and to make your donation today.