What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is an international book-gifting programme that the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) launched in Ireland in 2019. Families who live in Dublin 24 can sign up their child from birth to five years old, and CDI, in conjunction with the Imagination Library will send each child a new book every month. This comes at no cost to the child’s family.
The purpose is to help local children become “reading ready” by the time they start school. Reading with young children is proven to make a big difference to their future success.
How do we sign up?
You can sign up on CDI’s website. Parents without internet access can sign up on a computer at the Library or with the support of various people from Early Learning and Care settings, schools, public health nurses and midwives. If you are having issues signing up, we can help! Please contact info@cdi.ie or call 01 494 0030.
There are two children in my household under the age of 5. Can both sign up?
Yes! You can sign up each child in your household under the age of 5 years. Siblings will get different age-appropriate books each month. Imagination Library books change year on year, so children will get a whole different set of books to their sibling.
That sounds too good to be true. Is there some kind of catch? How can this be free?
No catch! There will never be any cost to you. Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library to make books more available to young children, because early experience with reading is so important to their futures. The programme is supported by The Dollywood Foundation, combined with support from An Post and CDI’s other funding partners.
The Imagination Library operates on a very large scale, purchasing and mailing many thousands of books every month. That’s how they are able to provide this service at a cost low enough to be covered by donations, so that all families can participate for free.
How secure is the information provided to Imagination Library?
CDI, An Post, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and our other current funding partners take information security very seriously. We will not share it or use it for any purpose other than this service. See the Imagination Library’s Privacy Policy here.
Does my child need to have a library card to participate?
No. All children from birth up to five years old who live in Dublin 24 can receive books by post from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
I owe library fines. Can we still sign up?
Yes. You can still sign up for the Imagination Library. Libraries no longer collect fines.
How can we get Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our area (outside Dublin 24)?
For Parents: At the moment we are only delivering this programme in Dublin 24. When the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands to your area, it will be widely publicised. Let’s Grow Together co-ordinate the Imagination Library in Cork City (see here) and Cill Dara Housing Association offer the programme to tenants (see here).
For Organisations/Service Providers: The Dollywood Foundation provide support to any Irish affiliate organisations interested in co-ordinating the Imagination Library in their area. Please see here for further detail: https://imaginationlibrary.com/ie/
What if our family is homeless?
Your family does not need a permanent address to sign up your child for the Imagination Library. Your child needs have an address in Dublin 24 where he or she can receive mail. The books will be addressed to your child’s name.
What if we move home / change address?
No problem, so long as you still live in Dublin 24, you need to change your mailing address in the Parent Section of the website for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Alternatively, you can let us know about your change in address and we can help you (email info@cdi.ie or call us on 01 494 0030).
When will my child get the first book?
The first book will arrive about 8-12 weeks after you sign up. Because the national organisation is so large, it takes a little while to get new addresses into their system. But once you get the first book, a new book will come every month until your child’s fifth birthday.
Will books come at the same time if I have more than one child in the programme?
Books may come at different times of the month. Once each of your children has received a first book, each month’s books should arrive by the last day of the month – but not necessarily on the same day.
If you have any other questions or require any further information, please contact Clare Bohan, Literacy co-ordinator in CDI (clare.bohan@cdi.ie)