West Virginia Dolly Days Read-a-Thon

Celebrate the legacy of iconic artist and literary champion Dolly Parton by participating in West Virginia’s Dolly Days Read-a-Thon! Hosted by the West Virginia State Library, this special literary celebration is open to all West Virginia youth in grades K – 5.  

How it Works

  1. Have your parent or guardian complete the registration form to receive and download your official Dolly Days Read-a-Thon Reading Log.  
  2. Read 25 books between October 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 (approximately 2 books per week), using the Reading Log to track your progress. You may also draw a picture of your favorite book or moment throughout the Read-a-Thon (optional).  
  3. Ask your parent or guardian to sign where indicated and submit your completed Reading Log by December 31, 2026.  Completed Reading Logs may be submitted online or returned to your local public library.

Prizes

All participants who complete the challenge will receive a commemorative Dolly Days Read-a-Thon sticker. Additional prizes will be awarded to winners, selected at random:

  • 100 participants will receive a sticker and special edition butterfly suncatcher from Blenko Glass Company
  • 5 participants will receive a sticker, suncatcher from Blenko, and a set of custom glass book-ends from Blenko
  • 1 participant will receive a Grand Prize consisting of all the prizes above plus a gift basket full of brand new books

Winners will be announced on Dolly Parton’s birthday: January 19, 2027.  

Ready to start reading? 

Download your official Dolly Days Read-a-Thon Reading Log or register digitally below.

Register Now

FAQ

Who can participate?

Any West Virginia youth resident enrolled grades K-5 can participate, with consent of their parent/guardian. Public, private, and homeschooled students are welcome.  

How do I sign up?

You can sign up for the Read-a-Thon two ways: online or in person. 

Online: You can register online by clicking here. Once you register, you will be prompted to download the Read-a-Thon’s official Reading Log. You will also receive an email confirmation of your registration. 

In Person: Visit your local public library to complete registration and receive a paper Reading Log.

Where can I get books to read?

Start at your local library! By signing up for a free library card, you’ll have access to thousands of physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks. 

You can also sign up for a West Virginia State Library card and access a variety of ebooks and audiobooks instantly through the Libby App, Hoopla, and other resources. Click here to sign up for a State Library card.

What counts as a book?

Books can be in physical, digital, audio, or braille format. There is no length requirement but books should be age appropriate. Participating in your local library’s story time program also counts as a book!

I’ve read 25 books!  How do I submit my Reading Log?

You can submit your completed Reading Log both online and in person.

Online:  Submit your completed Reading Log using this link. A scanned PDF or legible photo of the completed Reading Log must be uploaded.  

In Person:  Stop by your local public library to drop off your completed Reading Log. Your local librarians will then send it to the West Virginia State Library.  

Completed Reading Logs must be submitted no later than December 31, 2026. Incomplete, late, or illegible logs will not be accepted.  

Optional: In addition to tracking your books, the Reading Logs have an optional photo page where you can draw a picture of your favorite book or most memorable moment you had while participating in the Read-a-Thon. Drawings may be on display in the West Virginia State Library during February and March 2027, located in the Culture Center in Charleston. This portion of the Reading Log is optional and not required.  

I lost my Reading Log; what do I do?

If you need a replacement Reading Log, please contact the West Virginia State Library at wvlcref@wv.gov or (304) 558-2045 and we will happily email you one. You may also visit your local public library to pick up a blank Reading Log. 

I have a question about the program; who can I call?

If you have any questions about West Virginia’s Dolly Days Read-a-Thon, you may contact the West Virginia State Library at wvlcref@wv.gov or (304) 558-2045. Please note that the State Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Emails and messages left after hours or on weekends may require additional response time. 

This program is provided by the West Virginia State Library/Library Section of the West Virginia Department of Tourism (formerly the West Virginia Library Commission) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information on the West Virginia State Library, please visit our website.

Terms and Conditions

Participation in West Virginia’s Dolly Days Read-a-Thon is voluntary and is intended to promote literacy and reading among children in West Virginia. All participants state that they meet all eligibility requirements for the Dolly Days Read-a-Thon. All communications regarding the Dolly Days Read-a-Thon, including announcement of winners, will be sent to the entrants’ parents, guardians and/or legal representatives via e-mail. Winners will be selected at random. All activities and prizes are subject to the availability of funding and may be modified or withdrawn without notice.