Published: November 10, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Infants born at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital will soon begin receiving free books, thanks to a collaboration between the PNC Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is funded by a $100,000 grant from the PNC Foundation and honors the memory of Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player, local entrepreneur and philanthropic leader who died earlier this year.
“Junior was known for his desire to lift others up,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s. “This project honors Junior’s legacy and will continue uplifting young lives for years to come.”
Newborns at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital will receive a copy of “The Little Engine That Could” when they enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book monthly to registered children from birth to age 5, at no cost to the family.
Books given to families who deliver at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital in November will include a sticker with a message recognizing Bridgeman’s enduring impact: “In honor of Junior Bridgeman, a champion for kids, to inspire young readers.”
Funding to establish this initiative at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital was provided by the PNC Foundation through PNC Grow Up Great, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative focused on early childhood education.
“All of us at PNC recognize the early years are critical to a child’s development, with 90% of a child’s brain developing by age 5,” said Kristen Byrd, regional president, PNC Bank in Kentucky. “This collaboration with Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will help our community’s youngest citizens develop a love of learning, while honoring the legacy and leadership of Junior Bridgeman.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has delivered more than 500,000 books to Louisville Children since 2017, and more than 20,000 children are currently enrolled.
“The partnership with Norton will help get books to many more families much earlier in their child’s life,” said Maria Gurren, Executive Director of Imagination Library of Louisville. “Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital serves so much of the Louisville and Southern Indiana that this partnership can transform literacy efforts citywide.”
“This partnership is about more than books; it’s about building a foundation for lifelong learning. We’re proud to help families in our community access resources that inspire curiosity and confidence from day one,” said Heather Stohr, manager, child and family life, Norton Children’s.
Families will be given the opportunity to enroll in the Imagination Library program during their hospitalization after delivering. The books and enrollment are coordinated by volunteers.