Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launches in Little Hulton

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Simon Donn, Library Development Officer, leads a storytelling session

Salford children have helped to launch a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Little Hulton Library yesterday and enjoyed a fun storytelling session.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Salford City Council are inviting parents of children born in 2024 in Little Hulton, Salford to sign up to enrol in the programme.

Salford City Council is funding the latest book gifting programme in the city which is devoted to inspiring a love of reading in children.

Meg Fletcher, Regional Director at The Dollywood Foundation said: "We’re building on a strong history of programmes in the city thanks to the tireless efforts of our champions and hope that families enjoy receiving the books each month."

Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, country music icon Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for children in her home county.

Councillor Mishal Saeed, Councillor Teresa Pepper, Councillor Jim Cammell, Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith

Today her programme spans five countries and gifts over three million free books each month to children, regardless of the family’s income.

Last year, Dolly celebrated 200 million books gifted since inception with over six million going to families in the UK.

The programme posts an age-appropriate book each month to children from birth to age five at no cost to the family with Salford City Council providing additional funding to the scheme.

Currently there are seven Dolly Parton Imagination Libraries based in Salford which have delivered more than 36,500 books to families since 2013.

Mum Juliet Agiye reading a book with son Asima

Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services at Salford City Council, said the scheme is more important than ever as "there continues to be a gap in Salford’s outcomes compared to pre-pandemic levels."

Salford is the 18th most deprived area in the country with the council planning to become a UNICEF Child-Friendly City.

Figures from recent years have shown that the starting point for children in early years has been below national averages and by the time children leave primary school Key Stage 2 outcomes are below national levels.

Families with babies born in Little Hulton in 2024 or 2025 can enrol by emailing

West.Locality@salford.gov.uk for more information.