Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has extended its reach to Salford, England, with the inaugural launch occurring at Little Hulton Library. Central to this program is the vision of inspiring young children to develop a love of reading, fundamentally targeting families with children born in 2024.
On January 28, 2025, children from the local community gathered to celebrate the announcement and participated in engaging storytelling sessions. This collaboration with the Salford City Council emphasizes the importance of nurturing early literacy, presenting parents with the opportunity to enroll their children for monthly book deliveries.
Dolly Parton initiated the Imagination Library back in 1995, inspired by her father's struggles with literacy. This initiative has blossomed internationally, gifting over 200 million books to children worldwide, with six million of those disbursed to families across the United Kingdom last year alone. The program is dedicated to children from birth until they turn five years old, mailing age-appropriate books directly to their homes, free of charge.
Through the Imagination Library, families are assured they will receive beautifully wrapped books each month, addressing each child by name—a personal touch aimed at fostering lifelong readers. With the conclusion of the program at age five, children are celebrated with graduation books and letters, marking their transition with joy.
The Little Hulton scheme is particularly noteworthy, as it symbolizes Salford City Council's effort to confront existing educational disparities—most evidently seen since the pandemic has reshaped educational outcomes. Councillor Jim Cammell, the Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services at Salford City Council, shared his enthusiasm for the program: "It’s great news to launch another Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Salford. This will improve educational outcomes and literacy for early years children. This is particularly important as there continues to be a gap in Salford’s outcomes compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels."
Cammell emphasized the council's commitment to collaborating with local communities to pave the way for enhanced educational opportunities. Speaking about the Imagination Library's integration with Salford's recently launched gold standard literacy hub, he noted how reading promotion from early stages forms the foundation for children's future success.
Meg Fletcher, Regional Director at The Dollywood Foundation, expressed her excitement about partnering with local authorities to expand the library's reach: "We are delighted to be working with Salford City Council to reach even more children. We’re building on a strong history of programmes in the city thanks to the tireless efforts of our champions and hope families enjoy receiving the books each month!" This collaborative effort aligns with the overarching goal to combat educational inequalities and encourage literacy within the community.
The effects of programs like the Imagination Library can be transformative, particularly when initiated at the beginning of a child's educational experience. By providing accessible resources, the initiative endeavors to equip families with the tools they need to cultivate reading habits from the earliest days.
With the Imagination Library, Salford continues to implement innovative solutions to educational challenges, hoping for improvements reflected not just within the community, but on broader regional levels as well. This latest undertaking marks another significant milestone for the Imagination Library and its vision for universal literacy across age groups.
Overall, the integration of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is poised to play a pivotal role in raising literacy levels and instilling the joys of reading for generations to come—one beautifully wrapped book at a time.