Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – So Much More Than a Book in the Home

 

Sandy Ryan reading during Baby Rhyme Time at Kurri Kurri Library.

WRITTEN BY KYLIE COLLINS

Building Community Connections in Cessnock

Twenty-nine years ago, Dolly Parton had a vision — a vision to honour her father. Though a bright man, he was unfortunately illiterate. According to Dolly, this held him back from reaching his full potential in life.

With her deep sense of community, Dolly wanted to do something meaningful for the children of Sevier County, Tennessee. That ‘something’ was helping them learn to read, so they could have a brighter future. This sentiment marked the beginning of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Fast forward a few decades, and a few thousand miles across the globe, and we land in Cessnock, NSW — a welcoming and passionate local government area in the Hunter Valley, with a strong sense of community spirit.

On a vibrant morning just “over the road” from Cessnock, we arrive at Kurri Kurri Library, Cessnock’s sister library. The space is alive with joy, fun, and heartfelt giggles from little Imagination Library readers, eager to see local legend Sandy Ryan in action during Baby Rhyme Time. Sandy, with her ukulele and a rainbow of colourful scarves in hand, captivates the children (and their families too!). Sandy pulls out a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and reads along with the smiling families.

Among the mums and bubs present that morning is John, a doting dad, juggling his youngest child on his knee. John and his young family recently relocated to Kurri Kurri, and the Imagination Library has played a big role in helping them feel at home. John shares his delight with the program, describing it as

“a real blessing for connecting with the community”

Extensive research shows the importance of programs like the Imagination Library, which supports children and their families in the years before school begins. According to the Australian Early Development Census, 22% of Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable. Many never catch up. In some parts of the country, particularly in remote, rural, and regional areas, like Cessnock, these challenges are even greater. With that in mind, there is so much more to the Imagination Library than just boosting literacy in young children:

• It fosters community spirit.
• It brings people together through the joy of reading.
• It helps families build lasting connections.

For John and his family, the program has been about more than just books. They’ve built strong friendships in Kurri Kurri, just from chatting about the Imagination Library in the street!

“My wife and bub attend Rhyme Time each week, where the Imagination Library books are often read to the kids”

The sense of community that has been fostered with the local library and the NSW health staff has been nothing short of instrumental in building the sense of community between Imagination Library readers. The local NSW Health Child and Family Health Teams work tirelessly alongside Cessnock Library staff to ensure every eligible child in the community is enrolled – a tough feat, but one we are all so grateful for.

Well done, Cessnock!