Tributes have poured in from across the world following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton at the age of 80, as fans reflect on the remarkable legacy of the singer and songwriter. Born in a tiny rural community in East Tennessee, Dolly was the fourth of 12 children in a poor farming family. With a love and talent for music ever present in her life, she went on to win 10 Grammy Awards, write more than 3,000 songs, and sell 100 million records worldwide in her lifetime.
A Legacy Beyond Music
As well as her extraordinary musical career, Dolly's legacy stretches far beyond records and stage performances. Here in Liverpool, thousands of children and families have been touched by one of her most enduring achievements: the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Dolly was a passionate advocate for children's literacy, inspired in part by her father, who could not read or write.
In 1995, she established the Imagination Library, a non-profit programme providing free books to disadvantaged children in Tennessee. Since then it has expanded to countries including Australia, the UK, Ireland and Canada, sending millions of books to children around the world. In Liverpool, the Imagination Library has provided tens of thousands of books to children from Belle Vale to Fazakerley, with Dolly even personally presenting the programme's millionth book to a child in the city.
Local Impact and Reading Sessions
Councillor James Roberts, convenor for the first of the city's branches, in the Smithdown and Arundel area, which began in 2013, told the ECHO: "Hundreds of kids locally have benefited from it. On the academic side, school kids who read from a young age grow up with a love of reading which can lead to better educational outcomes."
But the benefits extend far beyond academic achievement. Cllr Roberts said: "It's wonderful to have kids and parents sit together and both have that more in-depth engagement." Parents can sign their children up to the scheme from birth, with a free book delivered every month until they graduate from the scheme at the age of five. The programme begins with books such as Peter Rabbit and ends with Dolly's own The Coat of Many Colours, also the title of a 2015 television film based on her childhood.
Each child has the opportunity to build a personal library of 60 books, with every book personally addressed to them, something Cllr Roberts says can stay with children long after they leave the programme. Speaking about Dolly's relationship with Liverpool, he said: "Dolly visited the city a few times. Obviously she will be remembered for her musical excellence. But her lasting legacy, in my view, will absolutely be the Imagination Library. The benefit has been immeasurable and the difference it has made in those kids' lives."
The Smithdown ward has also hosted reading sessions over the years using books supplied through the programme. Cllr Roberts said: "It's universally positive. Kids love it, they sit and listen and shout things out. It's promoting literacy and a love of books." With the scheme proving valuable for those whom English may not be their first language, he said: "It's an opportunity for having books in the house and for parents to read for kids, but also the other way round."
Funding Concerns and Calls to Continue
Speaking of barriers to literacy in the city, Family Hub services co-ordinator Debra Canon added: "Parents haven't always had the experiences of sharing stories or they may not have an understanding of how it can benefit the children and the value it can bring. Sometimes it's a lack of confidence for parents/carers in sharing stories." Rachel Kelshaw, a Family Link Worker who has helped organise the scheme in Vauxhall, said: "Everyone loves it. We first got funding for 20 families and the spaces went straight away. Everyone says yes to it. We've not had someone say no."
With the scheme having such a widespread impact across the city, local councillors are now calling on Liverpool City Council to continue funding its partnership with the programme. The Imagination Library requires a small financial contribution from councils, which allows for the provision of heavily subsidised books for families. Without help from the Imagination Library, Canon said that costs for the books would be "through the roof" and "unsustainable".
Debra said: "Our last cohort is coming to an end and we can't sign up new babies without funding. Early years is so important in every area. If you invest in early years, you're investing well." Speaking of Dolly's lasting impact, Debra added: "Her legacy will continue. The scheme is well established and organisers have planned for this eventuality. For family hubs and children's centres we would like to extend [the scheme] further. Dolly realised the power of books for children to develop imagination and to dream."
Dolly, who was recently reported to have a net worth of around $650 million, also devoted a significant part of her wealth and influence to philanthropic causes, including contributing to efforts connected with Covid-19 vaccine research. Councillor Hetty Wood, who organises the scheme in City Centre South, said: "[Dolly] could have been a billionaire but she chose to help children instead. People should take inspiration from that."
