The Dolly Parton Imagination Library scheme has launched in two more wards in Nottingham City: Dales and Bridge.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a charity that delivers a free age-appropriate book every month to children from birth until the age of five. The scheme is proven to improve children’s literacy levels so that they are more likely to be ready to start school when they turn five.
The vision of the Imagination Library was first sparked in Nottingham in 2009 by a Teaching Assistant in Wollaton. Momentum gathered when the Rotary Club of Nottingham worked with Nottingham City Council to help to co-ordinate fundraising which enabled the Imagination Library to be set up in the Nottingham neighbourhood of Bilborough in 2012.
Now, with the addition of Dales and Bridge, the scheme will run in nine of the city’s 20 wards. More than 4,100 children in Nottingham are currently registered with the scheme, and more than 113,000 books have been gifted.
This month also marks the mailing of the 100 millionth book for the Imagination Library in the UK, USA and Canada.
The addition of Dales and Bridge to the scheme will mean that all babies born in those wards after 1 January 2018 will be eligible to join the scheme.
Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Intervention and Early Years, said:
“I am delighted that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library scheme is launching in Dales and Bridge, and it is my hope that the scheme will soon be rolled out across all wards in the city.
“In Nottingham City, too many of our children start school well behind the expected literacy levels. I believe that reading with children is one of the best ways to set them up for a bright future.
“The Dolly Parton Imagination Library ensures every registered child, whatever their family circumstances, receives a book every month. It’s about giving our children the joy of reading.”
To find out more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Nottingham or to make a donation, please visit www.dollybooksnottingham.org.
The Nottingham scheme is supported by local organisations: The Rotary Club of Nottingham, Castle Cavendish, Small Steps Big Changes (National Lottery funding), as well as individual supporters.