New Chapter for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Postcode Lottery players have raised £5 Million to support a major new chapter for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library reading programme, helping to reach a new generation of children.

More than seven million Imagination Library books have already been gifted to children in the UK as part of the programme, which started 30 years ago - and is recognised as one of Dolly’s greatest legacies.

Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in tribute to her father, Robert Lee Parton, who could not read or write, with the belief that every child, whatever their circumstances, should have books of their own.

What began in her home county in Tennessee has become an international movement, delivering millions of books to children and families.

This support from Postcode Lottery players means that more than 150,000 children across London are now eligible to receive a free book every month from birth until the age of five, building on an extraordinary UK legacy.

The funding could ultimately see almost two million books delivered into London homes each year.

The announcement was made at the British Library, where children and families from across London boroughs came together to pay tribute to Dolly’s life by doing something she cared deeply about: sharing books, reading together and making time for a story.

Jeff Conyers, President of The Dollywood Foundation said: "Dolly believed passionately that every child deserved the chance to fall in love with books, and she spent her life turning that belief into something real.

"This expansion means her extraordinary work does not simply continue, it grows.

"Thanks to Postcode Lottery players, thousands more children will now know the excitement of a book arriving through their door every month.

"There could be no more fitting way to honour Dolly than to keep doing what she asked us to do: put books into children's hands, open them together and make time for a story.

"It's a small act, but very much in Dolly's spirit - turning love and generosity into something that can change a child’s life."

Children in the programme receive one specially selected, age-appropriate book in the post every month from birth to age five, free of charge to their families. A child enrolled from birth can receive up to 60 books before starting school.

Clara Govier, Postcode Lottery Managing Director, said:

"Dolly understood the extraordinary power of something very simple: a child, a grown-up and a book.

"Our players can be incredibly proud that their support will help 157,000 children experience that for themselves.

"This £5 Million commitment helps one of Dolly’s most important legacies reach a new generation of children and families.

"Every book that arrives through a child's door can open another door to a whole new world of imagination and, we hope, a lifelong love of reading."

The expansion is focused on London, where seven new boroughs have joined the programme - Wandsworth, Camden, Hackney, Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham and Barking and Dagenham - alongside existing programmes in Lambeth, Southwark and the City of London.

This builds on a longstanding relationship between Postcode Lottery players and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

From 2017 to 2021, player funding helped support an England-wide project delivered in partnership with the children’s literacy charity Coram Beanstalk, providing Imagination Library books to families.

Today, the Imagination Library works through around 320 local programme partners across the UK, with children from all four nations benefitting.