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Dolly Parton Imagination Library to share the joy of reading in Cessnock

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Though she may not know it, international country music star Dolly Parton is set to have a big impact on Cessnock thanks to her Imagination Library project.

Cessnock City Council is launching the international country music star’s innovative book gifting program in a bid to improve the literacy levels of young children across the local government area (LGA).

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created over two decades ago and has seen more than 160 million books delivered to children in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.

The aim of the project is to provide children with access to their own library of literary resources from an early age.

From this month, every newborn child who is living within the Cessnock LGA will be eligible to access the Imagination Library, which will see them receive a free age-appropriate book every month, until they turn five.

Cessnock City Mayor Jay Suvaal said he was delighted to see a program like this rolled out in the community.

“I know how much joy reading a book brings to my own children, so I’m really excited to support any program that gives children the opportunity to experience the joy of reading,” he said.

“Early childhood census data shows children in the Cessnock LGA are below the state average when it comes to literacy and communication skill levels.

“This is a practical approach at the local community level to better equip young children and provide them with the resources they need to help lift these numbers.”

The charity organisation United Way Australia will work with Cessnock City Library to administer the project, CEO Clayton Noble said he was excited to be working with the library on the project.

“The commitment to ensuring every child born in the region is school ready is to be applauded,” Mr Noble said.

To register, parents and carers must complete a short form, which is available at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries and local family health nurses.

For more information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, please email [email protected] or phone 4993 4382.

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