Dolly Parton is putting free, personalised books into the hands of 3,000 Cork children
It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
More than 3,000 Cork children will receive free books to help them build their own library as part of a global initiative started by country music icon Dolly Parton.
Dolly’s Imagination Library is an international book-gifting programme that sees children from birth to age five receive a collection of 60 free, high-quality, developmentally appropriate books in the post in participating communities.
The flagship programme of The Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library now runs throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most recently in the Republic of Ireland, with over 147 million children’s books gifted since the programme’s inception in 1995.
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The Imagination Library Cork will put books into the hands and hearts of approximately 3,000 children living in Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill, Gurranabraher, Churchfield, Mahon, Carrigtwohill, Ashbourne House and Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre.
“You can never get enough books into the hands of young children,” said Dolly Parton.
“I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams–the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows maybe a writer, or singer. The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world.”
Fostering a love of books
Each book is personalised with the child’s name and posted directly to their home following registration, thus levelling the playing field for all children by helping them to build their own home library and inspire a love of reading and learning in early childhood.
While The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead costs associated with making the programme available in the community, local partners are responsible for the cost price per book and delivery expenses and extra funding has been provided by Barry’s Tea, Rotary Club of Cork, City Northwest Quarter Regeneration, Tuath Housing, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. An Post is sponsoring the delivery of all books to children in the Cork pilot communities.
“Never has there been a better time to launch this programme than now, during this pandemic, to have something so positive to offer children and their families,” said Katherine Harford, Programme Manager, Young Knocknaheeny.
“This is an incredible opportunity for them to access books, to experience something new and personal to them, and to grow a love of books from their earliest years.”
Stevie G will host a live launch of the programme on Zoom on Wednesday, November 11th here.
