County-wide celebration to acknowledge early-years reading programme
Renfrewshire will mark its first official Dolly Parton Day on 25 September in recognition of the Imagination Library’s work across the area. The event, approved by the Dollywood Foundation UK, is intended to honour the long-running scheme that supplies free books to young children and their families.
Permanent funding and a major milestone
The programme has been supported by Renfrewshire Council with a commitment to permanent funding introduced in March 2025. Council leaders say the scheme has helped foster a love of reading among local children and has reached a notable milestone: more than 230,000 books have been delivered across Renfrewshire.
- Date of local celebration: 25 September
- Approving body: Dollywood Foundation UK
- Local milestone: 230,000 books delivered
- Council action: permanent funding agreed March 2025
Local officials and partners welcome the recognition
Renfrewshire’s Provost, Councillor Lorraine Cameron, set out the rationale for marking the day and emphasised the scheme’s impact on family reading practices and early learning. She said the Imagination Library had made “a real difference to Renfrewshire’s children” and noted the role the programme plays in setting children up for ongoing engagement with stories.
"Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has made a real difference to Renfrewshire’s children. It helps them develop a love of reading and engage in stories with their parents and carers. Passing the 230,000 books milestone is a significant achievement."
Councillor Cameron highlighted that Renfrewshire was the first council in Scotland to make the Imagination Library available to all eligible children irrespective of whether they live in the area or attend a local nursery. That inclusive approach was cited as a reason for the council’s decision to underwrite the scheme on a permanent basis.
Planned local activity and community engagement
Local nurseries and early years settings have participated in themed events linked to the programme: earlier in the year, services across the area observed Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday with reading sessions, music, dance and creative activities inspired by the singer. The council said similar celebrations are expected across Renfrewshire on the dedicated day in September.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official day | 25 September |
| Books delivered | 230,000+ |
| Council funding | Made permanent (March 2025) |
What this means for families and early years services
For families across Renfrewshire, the Imagination Library provides ongoing access to books intended to encourage shared reading and early literacy. For local nurseries and early learning centres, the programme forms part of a broader effort to embed reading into everyday practice and to support children’s development prior to formal schooling.
The decision to celebrate Dolly Parton Day formally underlines the council’s assessment that the initiative has delivered measurable cultural and educational benefits within the community. Further details on the local timetable of events for 25 September are expected to be published by Renfrewshire Council and partner organisations ahead of the day.
