Dolly’s free book scheme hits all the right notes with kids
More than 1,600 youngsters have signed up to a new book gifting scheme within just a few weeks of the project launching.
All kids aged two to five in Renfrewshire can now register to receive free books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library following a year- long pilot of the programme with a handful of nurseries.
The council agreed to invest a further £200,000 in the initiative in its budget last month to allow young children right across the region to enjoy a variety of stories at home for the next three years.
The project was launched back in 1995 and mails free, high-quality books to children no matter what their family’s income is.
During last year, the organisation gifted its 150millionth book and has received honours and awards for enriching children’s lives.
And since the local authority agreed to continue investing in the scheme, hundreds of children keen to experience the joy of reading outside of school have jumped on board.
During a meeting of the leadership board this week, Councillor Jim Paterson welcomed the popularity of the programme, which he insisted formed an important part of the council’s mission to eradicate poverty.
“I’d just like to welcome the success so far of the Imagination Library,” said the convener of the education and children’s services policy board.
“It’s really positive that, even though we’ve only had a soft launch, we have had 1,600 children register. I’m delighted to see the number of people who have signed up.
“It’s alright to have books at school, but a lot of these children could be going back home to where books are not a priority due to finances.”
Any parents who have a child between the ages of two and five who lives in Renfrewshire can sign up to the scheme via the Imagination Library website.
Those who sign up to the scheme by the start of each month will start receiving books from the following month, so those who register before Saturday, May 1, will get their first book in June.
To find out more and sign up visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/uk/affiliate/RFWRENFREWSHIRE2/