We celebrated the 1st birthday of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Cork on 23rd November 2021. We had several celebrations planned to mark the occasion, some of which had to be amended at the last minute due to the updated Covid restrictions. We hosted a site visit from Dr Marion Gillooly, Executive Director The Dollywood Foundation UK & Ireland, and Emma Reilly, Literacy Co-ordinator Childhood Development Initiative CLG. This was an important opportunity for Marion and Emma to meet with some of our local Cork interagency working group members to reflect on the 1st year of the programme in Cork and to plan for next year. Marion and Emma presented at our virtual celebration event. During this event we shared a montage of photographs and video clips of babies, toddlers, children, parents, caregivers, families, EY settings and schools enjoying their favourite books across the community! Thanks to everyone who sent in their fantastic photographs and video clips: https://www.facebook.com/letsgrowtogethercork/videos/1086488172121885/
We also shared a storytelling session by Kathleen Gildea, EY Mentor, reading her favourite book from the Imagination Library. We were delighted to have parents/caregivers, children, EY settings and schools tune into the virtual event on the day. We will have a link to the recording of this event available on the website very soon. There are over 1,000 children currently registered with the Imagination Library and receiving books in the post every month!
