Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to continue in shire

Early literacy will continue to be boosted in the Narrabri Shire with the continuation of the Dolly Party Imagination Library program.

Council was initially looking to scale back the program to cater for current enrolments only after a change in state funding arrangements meant new registrations would cease after
August 31.

Councillor Jocellin Jansson, an advocate for the program, successfully sought to change council’s direction at the September meeting and not limit the program to current registrations only.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Australia is a book gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere and improves literacy rates and school readiness for Kindergarten children.

Narrabri Shire Libraries have supported the Dolly Parton Imagination Library since January 2022, a program that has brought the joy of reading into the homes of many local families.

“Through its partnership with the Narrabri Rotary Club, Narrabri Shire Libraries has seen first-hand the positive impact of early literacy and the value of community collaboration.

“During this time, 468 children (from birth to age five) have been enrolled and received a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge,” council’s business paper states.

A total of 468 shire children have been enrolled in the program.

A breakdown of figures shows yearly figures: January to December 2022 – 92 enrolments, January to December 2023 – 162 enrolments, January to December 2024 – 108 enrolments, and January to August 2025 – 106 enrolments.

“I am one of a collective of about 10 people who have already been fundraising since last year for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program through our Harvest Moon event,” Cr Jansson told the meeting.

“On learning that the state government is stopping funding for the six LGAs, Narrabri included, we decided that we will accept responsibility on behalf of our shire community to take this
forward.

“And we already have raised a substantial amount of money in the last two weeks.”

Cr Jansson said a highly motivated committee was making inroads to ensuring the success of the program in Narrabri Shire.

“We are in discussions with a number of other mid-to-large companies in the Narrabri Shire who are very interested in supporting this,” Cr Jansson said.

“We have a range of targeted fundraising initiatives planned.”

Cr Jansson told the meeting the program costs $70,000 a year to run in Narrabri Shire.

“We have absolutely no hesitation that we will raise that, and we’ll raise it ongoing.”

Cr Jansson moved that council advises United Way Australia, facilitator of the program in Australia, that it will support the existing and new enrolments forecasting model until the 2029-2030 financial year.

Council will also seek community partners to assist with the funding and delivery of the program until its conclusion in 2029-2030.

This was seconded by Cr Brett Dickinson.