Millions of Children Worldwide Benefit as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Transforms Early Learning
The Imagination Library has touched the lives of millions of children through free books and the creation of a culture of reading in the home, thanks to Dolly Parton.
Parton’s Dollywood Foundation founded the programme in 1995, and it delivers a free, age-appropriate book to enrolled children each month until they are five. It has grown from Parton’s home county of Tennessee to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Over 300 million books have been sent around the world and over three million children are now receiving books as part of the programme.
Parton started the project in part to honor her father, who was unable to read or write. She felt that his lack of education had hindered him from realizing some of his dreams and that it was her duty to encourage children to read.
The programme has also been researched and documented as to its impact. A study in Australia, with over 86,000 children and their caregivers, showed that children who participated in the Imagination Library were more likely to show an interest in books and emerging literacy skills.
Children in Australia enrolled in the programme were reported to be nine times more likely to be interested in books, 17 times more likely to be involved in shared reading and six times more likely to demonstrate key emerging literacy skills than children not enrolled.
The programme has also made a significant difference in the United Kingdom. In 2007, Parton visited Rotherham to kick off the Imagination Library, making it the first European community to launch the program.
Since then, thousands of children in Rotherham have been given books via the programme. During Parton’s 2007 visit to Rotherham Hospital, the first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was presented to a one-day-old baby girl.
Since 2017, the council has distributed over 66,000 books to nearly 2,500 children in some of the most deprived communities in Wakefield, it said.
Local Imagination Library organisers have said the programme is designed to help reduce literacy gaps and to provide opportunities for children and caregivers to share stories together.
In addition to the books being given out, the programme has contributed to making reading a habit for many families. Monthly deliveries provide children with something new to explore and help caregivers develop shared reading routines.
Parton’s legacy is not just in her music, however. Her faith in the power of books lives on through the Imagination Library, where she continues to influence children’s early learning, foster a love of books and provide opportunities for families worldwide.
