Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an international book-gifting programme that has seen over 150 million children’s books gifted to young children from birth up to 5 years since the programme’s inception in 1995. This international initiative was first introduced in the Republic of Ireland in early 2019 by The Childhood Development Initiative Tallaght making it the fifth country to adopt Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Registered children receive a book a month addressed to them, at no cost to the family. The books are hand-selected by the UK and Ireland Imagination Library Book Selection Committee. Each title is chosen to meet the growing needs of the child at the pivotal stages of development.
Let’s Grow Together is leading the Imagination Library’s introduction to Cork with support from the Cork Interagency Working Group and funding partners. The Imagination Library is currently available in the following communities : The Let’s Grow Together catchment area as well as Mahon, Carrigtwohill, the Glen, Mayfield, Ashbourne House, and Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre. It is hoped that in the future the Imagination Library can be expanded and grow into more areas in Cork city and county and indeed throughout Ireland.
Any child under 5 in these areas can register and a book will be delivered to their home every month, personally addressed to each eligible child, so the child can start building their own home library. It is completely free to families as local fundraising pays for the cost price of the books and An Post sponsors the delivery of the books.
Contact Grace Walsh on 086-8142233 to find out more, or to see if your child is eligible to register today!
