Dungog’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has hit an impressive milestone. Over 100 babies and toddlers in the Dungog Shire are now receiving a free book each month thanks to the dedicated volunteers and the generous sponsors of Dungog Early Literacy Inc and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL).
Anne Higgins, Chairperson of the Dungog Early Literacy Inc explained that it all started when a book club she belonged to decided they wanted to help raise awareness of and support early literacy. They initially partnered with the Dungog Shire Community Centre supporting their “Books for Babies” Program. Having heard about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library this program seemed like a fine fit. They partnered with United Way Australia and in 2024 had a call-out for Dungog Shire supporters for funds and babies in their first year of life to be enrolled and start receiving books.
The program costs $108 per child per year. Very generous local service organisations, businesses and individuals quickly joined up and fundraising continues. Dungog Early Literacy Inc is seeking additional financial support through donations and sponsors so they can expand the program to more children.
The Dungog Shire Community Centre continues to be supportive and their sub-committee Friends of Dungog Shire Community Centre runs a second-hand Bookshop in Dungog to fundraise. “Books & More” is open 3 days a week and is opposite the IGA.
For more information about how you can become involved please visit Dungog Early Literacy’s Facebook page or the Dungog Shire Council’s website.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children in the USA. The DPIL is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, one per month, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland. As of June 2025 284 million books have been gifted to children worldwide.
To find out more please visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/
Images:
Top: Left – Dolly cut out in library. Right – Anne Higgins (front) and Barbara Fisher. Courtesy of Dungog Early Literacy Inc.
Bottom: Launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Dungog. Courtesy of Dungog Early Literacy Inc.