Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is expanding its free book scheme in London, doubling the number of boroughs it covers. The initiative, which sends a free book monthly to children until they turn five, will now operate in 10 boroughs, up from five.
This expansion, funded by the Postcode Lottery, is expected to make 157,000 more children eligible for the programme. The scheme was established by Dolly Parton in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who could not read or write.
Harriet Sedrick-Ugo, from south London, highlighted the financial benefit for families, stating that receiving free books helps alleviate the cost of buying them. The scheme is universal, meaning all children in participating areas can sign up, regardless of family income.
The Dollywood Foundation reports that over seven million books have been delivered to children in the UK through the Imagination Library. Jeff Conyers, president of the Dollywood Foundation, said Parton would have been "incredibly proud" to see the scheme grow in the capital.