Update on Dolly Parton Imagination Library  

In the years 2022 and 2023, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Australia celebrated a decade of fostering literacy and imagination among children across the nation. Over this period, the program provided invaluable support to over 72,000 children and aimed to reach a milestone of delivering one million books by September 2023. With an anticipated enrolment of 40,000 Australian children in 2023, the initiative's impact continued to grow. Moreover, in July 2023, the launch of an online hub promised additional resources and information for parents, educators, and community partners involved in delivering the program, further enhancing its accessibility and effectiveness. 

The Lyone Foundation played a pivotal role in supporting the Imagination Library's expansion and sustainability, contributing $100,000 in funding. From July 2022 to June 2023, the Lyone Foundation’s continued support, assisted with number of children benefiting from the program with the numbers steadily rising each year. Notably, in the 2022-2023 reporting period alone, the foundation provided funding to support 414 children for 12 months, indicating a continued commitment to promoting early childhood literacy and development. 

During the same period, the Imagination Library extended its reach to new locations, with support from the Lyone Foundation facilitating the launch of programs in both existing and emerging communities. In addition to sustaining initiatives in New South Wales and Queensland, seed funding from Lyone kick-started programs in the Australian Capital Territory, supporting vulnerable children in areas such as Kippax and Evatt. This strategic expansion is aimed to address the needs of underserved communities and promote equitable access to early literacy resources and support services.  

In New South Wales, programs in Parramatta, Auburn, and Wyong provided not only books but also comprehensive support services, including early intervention programs and preschool enrolment assistance. Similarly, in Victoria and Queensland, initiatives in areas including The Basin and Acacia Ridge addressed the specific challenges faced by vulnerable families, highlighting the program's holistic approach to childhood development. 

Through ongoing measurement and evaluation efforts, the University of Western Australia assessed the program's effectiveness to help refine its strategies, ensuring that the Imagination Library remained responsive to the evolving needs of children and families across Australia. Overall, funding from the Lyone Foundation, was instrumental in advancing the Imagination Library's mission and enriching the lives of countless children and families nationwide.