The Hidden Chapter of Dolly Parton’s Legacy You Haven’t Heard—And It Starts With 75 Tiny Readers. ML
Belfast Partners with Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation to Launch Imagination Library Pilot
Belfast, Northern Ireland — October 2025:
Belfast City Council has announced a new partnership with Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation to bring the internationally acclaimed Imagination Library program to the city for the first time.
Under the new initiative, 75 babies registered at Belfast City Hall from 1 October 2025 will each receive a free, age-appropriate book every month until their fifth birthday — totaling 60 books per child.
The Belfast pilot marks a major step forward in expanding early childhood literacy programs across Northern Ireland. The initiative was approved following a motion introduced by Councillor Séamas De Faoite in 2022 and was formally launched at Belfast City Hall on Thursday by Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly.
“I’m absolutely delighted that this scheme has arrived in Belfast,” said Kelly. “There’s nothing more important than encouraging children to read from a young age, and this program will make that easier for families across the city.”
Megan Fletcher, Regional Director at The Dollywood Foundation, said the organization is “actively seeking new partners” to help expand the program across Northern Ireland.
“We’ve been working in the region since 2015 with smaller community programs,” Fletcher noted. “Now, with Belfast City Council on board, we have a wonderful opportunity to reach even more children. Let’s aim big — perhaps even bring Dolly herself here one day.”
Local parents have already expressed enthusiasm. Mark McBride, whose daughter Maria is one of the 75 participants, said the program encourages family bonding through reading.
“We thought it was a great way to give kids a head start,” McBride said. “We’ve always read with our older child, and now we’re excited to start that tradition with our new baby.”
Councillor De Faoite called the launch “a proud moment” after years of advocacy.
“Our vision is to see every child in Belfast — and eventually Northern Ireland — benefit from this incredible program,” he said. “Dolly’s dedication to literacy has touched millions of families around the world, and now it’s making a difference right here at home.”
The Imagination Library, founded by Dolly Parton in 1995, now operates in five countries and has distributed more than 230 million books worldwide.
For more information, visit imaginationlibrary.com or belfastcity.gov.uk.
