Renfrewshire will celebrate its first official Dolly Parton Day on 25th September after the Dollywood Foundation UK approved an annual celebration of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The announcement comes as more than 230,000 books have been given to young children in Renfrewshire since the programme began.
Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron put forward the motion at a Council meeting. The annual event will highlight the positive impact the initiative has had on local children and families.
Renfrewshire is the first Scottish council to offer the programme to all children aged two to five. Children receive the books if they live in the area or attend a Renfrewshire nursery.
Funding for the programme was made permanent in the council’s budget commitments in March 2025. The programme aims to increase literacy by helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.
Earlier this year, hundreds of children at Renfrewshire nurseries celebrated Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday.
Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare Centre welcomed ‘Glasgow Mary’, while St Peter’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre held a birthday party. Glenfield and Houston Early Learning and Childcare Centres spent time reading books, and West Early Learning and Childcare Centre welcomed the Skoobmobile.
East Fulton Early Learning and Childcare Centre held a hoedown, St Catherine’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre created a ‘Dolly’s Diner’ café, while Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre and Maxwelton Park Nursery made a special coat or blanket of ‘many colours’. Gallowhill Early Learning and Childcare Centre sang and danced to Dolly Parton’s greatest hits, and St Mary’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre held a silent disco.
More than 25 Renfrewshire nurseries and childminders now have all of their children signed up to the programme.
The books are read in Renfrewshire nurseries and by families at home.
Provost Cameron said: “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has made a real difference to Renfrewshire’s children. It helps them develop a love of reading and engage in stories with their parents and carers.
“Passing the 230,000 books milestone is a significant achievement. This programme sets children up for a lifelong love of reading. We’ve seen the positive impact it has on children’s learning. That’s why we made the commitment to permanently fund the programme.
“Having an official day to celebrate this programme is wonderful. Renfrewshire nurseries have fully embraced the programme and are fervent supporters. I look forward to seeing their celebrations take place.”
Helena Barrett-Duncan, Dollywood Foundation Regional Director for Scotland, said: “Renfrewshire has shown what is possible when an entire community gets behind early years reading. It has become a beacon for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Scotland, inspiring other local authorities to follow its lead. Celebrating Dolly Parton Day is a fitting way to recognise the thousands of children and families whose lives have been enriched by the programme.”
Families in Renfrewshire can register their child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability.
Social preview: Renfrewshire will celebrate its first official Dolly Parton Day on 25th September after more than 230,000 Imagination Library books were given to local children.
Photo: Children at Dargavel Early Learning and Childcare Centre enjoy reading a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book together
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Glenfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre celebrated Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday earlier this year
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Houston Early Learning and Childcare Centre took part in Dolly Parton birthday celebrations
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: ‘Glasgow Mary’ visited Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare Centre during Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday celebrations
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare Centre celebrated Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at West Early Learning and Childcare Centre welcomed the Skoobmobile during Dolly Parton celebrations
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at West Early Learning and Childcare Centre dressed up to celebrate Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council