Communities across Renfrewshire celebrated the area’s first-ever Dolly Parton Day, recognising her Imagination Library and its role in helping local children develop a love of reading.
More than 230,000 books have been delivered and more than 10,000 children have benefited from the programme in Renfrewshire since it began.
The programme started locally in 2011, providing free books for care-experienced children. It expanded in 2021 to offer free monthly books to all children aged two to five. Funding for the expansion was made permanent in 2025.
Renfrewshire Council was the first local authority in Scotland to offer the programme to every child in that age group.
Provost Lorraine Cameron proposed Dolly Parton Day in February 2026. It was agreed with Dollywood Foundation UK and announced in July.
Celebrations began with Dolly’s Divas, a group of musicians and pipers from Johnstone High School, performing Coat of Many Colors outside Johnstone Library. The pupils were supported by Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service.
Local line dancing group The Caroliners held a flash mob in Paisley town centre, dancing to 9 to 5 and Jolene.
Provost Cameron was among those who got a Dolly tattoo from L’Ink’D Tattoos. The tattoo parlour is donating some of its proceeds to Renfrewshire’s Imagination Library.
The Ugly Duck pub held a karaoke, with each song raising money for the programme.
Nurseries and childminders across the area also took part.
Scottish line dancing champion Maggie Stevenson visited Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre to teach children and staff how to line dance.
Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class gifted books to the community through its Dolly Trolley.
Several nurseries held hoedowns. St Charles’ Early Learning and Childcare Class held a butterfly-themed celebration in honour of Dolly’s personal emblem.
Young musicians from Gleniffer High School performed Dolly music for children at Lochfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre. Children at Heriot Early Learning and Childcare Class baked Dolly-themed recipes.
Ellie, a piper from Johnstone High School, performed outside Paisley Central, Renfrew and Bishopton libraries.
OneRen libraries held Dolly-themed Bookbug sessions with pink clothing and cowboy hats.
Paisley Town Hall was lit up in pink on Friday evening. Local shops and families displayed butterflies in their windows to create a community trail.
Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “It has been fantastic to see communities right across Renfrewshire come together for our very first Dolly Parton Day.
“The day celebrates how important the Imagination Library has been on young children’s literacy. Having a love of reading for pleasure helps children to develop confidence, language and curiosity. It creates special moments for children and their families to share together.
“The enthusiasm shown by our nurseries, local businesses, families and communities has been wonderful. Renfrewshire is incredibly proud to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It’s why I put forward the motion to hold Dolly Parton Day to showcase its lasting legacy for local children.”
Helena Barrett-Duncan, Dollywood Foundation Regional Director for Scotland, said: “Dolly believed every child should have the chance to grow up with books and stories. Renfrewshire has brought that belief to life, delivering more than 230,000 books to local children since the programme began.
“It’s been lovely to see children, families, schools and businesses make the first Dolly Parton Day their own. Thank you to Provost Cameron and everyone who took part. The music and celebrations are a fitting tribute to Dolly, and the books arriving through children’s letterboxes each month carry her legacy forward.”
Dolly launched the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired by her father’s struggles with literacy.
The programme has since gifted more than 300 million free books across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Any child aged two, three or four living in Renfrewshire or attending a Renfrewshire nursery or childminder is eligible for free books.
Parents and carers can register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on its website.
Photo: Children learning line dancing at Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Dolly’s Divas, pupils from Johnstone High School, with Provost Lorraine Cameron.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Paisley Town Hall lit up in pink for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Families at a Bookbug session in Johnstone Library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Johnstone Library staff with children during a Bookbug session.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Butterflies displayed in a family’s window for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Dolly’s Divas from Johnstone High School performing for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at East Fulton Early Learning and Childcare Centre with Dolly.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff at Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre learning to line dance with Scottish champion Maggie Stevenson.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff at Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre learning to line dance with Scottish champion Maggie Stevenson.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Storytelling at Glenfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Wooden butterfly decorations at Houston Early Learning and Childcare Class.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Pupils from Gleniffer High School performing for children at Lochfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Ellie, a piper from Johnstone High School, performing outside Paisley Central Library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Piper Ellie with Provost Lorraine Cameron outside Paisley Central Library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Ellie, a piper from Johnstone High School, performing inside a library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: A child dressed up for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and adults at a hoedown at St Charles’ Early Learning and Childcare Class.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Members of the UNISON branch executive committee holding their favourite books for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Wallace Early Learning and Childcare Class dressed in country and western clothing for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children and staff from Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class with their Dolly Trolley, gifting books to the community.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Butterflies displayed in a family’s window for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Dolly’s Divas, pupils from Johnstone High School, with Provost Lorraine Cameron.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: A child at Glenfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre making Dolly-themed cakes.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Butterfly cakes at Houston Early Learning and Childcare Class for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Alana from L’Ink’D Tattoos with Provost Lorraine Cameron.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Lochfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre listening to a western-themed Bookbug session.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Piper Ellie with Provost Lorraine Cameron outside Paisley Central Library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Ellie, a piper from Johnstone High School, performing outside Bishopton Library.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Storytelling featuring The Hungry Caterpillar at St Charles’ Early Learning and Childcare Class.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: The Caroliners with Provost Lorraine Cameron in County Square, Paisley.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Wallace Early Learning and Childcare Class dressed in country and western clothing for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Children at Wallace Early Learning and Childcare Class dressed in country and western clothing for Dolly Parton Day.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council