Boosting Library Engagement with Dolly Parton

A free book initiative aimed at children is helping to boost public library membership and engagement in Dundee.

In May 2025 Charleston Community Library began hosting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – an international programme which aims to inspire a love of reading by gifting free books to children from birth to age five.

Since then, children’s library membership has increased by 23% with children’s book borrowing also up by 26.75%. The programme has been so successful that it has now been expanded to cover nearby Lochee Ward.

Sarah Johnston, Library & Information Officer at Charleston Community Library said: “I wanted to put my time and energy into this project because I could see the benefits for my library. I knew that if I could get people to come in to sign up for Dolly’s Imagination Library, I could ask if they would like to sign up for a library card at the same time.

“I don’t force people – I just ask if they would like to sign up for a free library card. And so far, nobody has refused.”

Children signed up to Dolly’s Imagination Library programme receive a free book every month delivered to their home. The books are continuously reviewed, meaning siblings signed up to the programme don’t receive the same books when they reach a certain age. So far 257 local children have joined Dolly’s Imagination library with over 1000 books posted – boosting a love of reading in the area.

Sarah said: “It’s great for reaching out to people who wouldn’t normally come to the library. I like to think that we take the terror out of visiting. If you’ve never been in before then maybe you don’t realise that it’s ok if you’re kids are running around making a noise. For us, it’s all about reading and enjoying books.

“There’s a bit more engagement with the Dolly initiative and that makes a difference. I go to a lot of groups – like toddler groups – asking if they have signed up to the Dolly Parton Library. I’m a Dolly Parton Imagination Library ambassador.

“The books also have the child’s name on them. All children love getting something through the post that’s addressed to them. I’ve had parents come into the library and ask me what books they would recommend they read to their three-month-old baby. Which is really what it’s all about.”

The Dollywood Foundation UK works with local partners to help bring the Imagination Library to local communities. In Dundee, the Foundation is working with Leisure and Culture Dundee, Lochee Community Regeneration Forum and Help For Kids.

Both the Foundation and Leisure and Culture Dundee are now inviting other local charities, business and organisations to invest and help expand the programme.

Sarah said: I used to be a Planner with a local council and one of the first things I did when I joined the library service was to get locally elected members on board. It was local Councillor Lee Mills who first mentioned Dolly’s Imagination Library and asked if I would be interested in setting things up.

“I was used to funding applications and found the process relatively easy – nobody can have anything against giving free books to children. The system is easy to use, and the Foundation provides the infrastructure. However, funding is something that I’ll need to keep on top of.

“The Dollywood Foundation has been a great support, and I know they would like to expand the programme in the area, perhaps starting where there is social need. My aim is really to get people to come into the library and get everybody in the family reading. It’s all about letting people know that libraries are a friendly place to visit.”

Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 after being inspired by her father’s inability to read or write. Since then, the programme has expanded into five countries and gifted over 250 million books.

Both Sarah and Councillor Lee Mills will be speaking about their experience at the CILIPS Annual Conference 2026 which takes place on Monday June 1^st and Tuesday June 2^nd at the Dundee Apex Hotel.

Sarah added: “I always stress that joining the library is free. Not much is free these days and the local library is a completely free resource. Dolly’s Imagination Library is fun and when something is fun the staff really go with it. It’s a great programme to be involved with.”