A RAY of hope has lightened the grief that descended on Dungog’s Books & More Bookshop following the news of Dolly Parton’s recent passing.
The much-loved singer/actor’s literary legacy will continue: The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), run from the bookstore by Dungog Early Literacy Inc, will continue delighting local children and their parents.
Following Dungog News of the Area’s story last week, the library’s US headquarters reassured the literacy group that the library will continue.
The children of 142 Dungog Shire families each receive a book in the mail each month, with funds raised by the community covering subscription costs.
“On the one hand, people are sad about Dolly’s passing,” the literacy group’s chairperson, Anne Higgins, said.
“On the other, they’re very grateful their children are enrolled.
“For our group, there’s been a feeling of pride for having introduced Dolly’s library to the shire.”
A condolence book in the bookstore and the early literacy group’s Facebook page reflected a common theme: gratitude for the program and sadness at the loss of a woman whose vision ignited their children’s imaginations and imparted a love of reading.
One Dungog mum posted: “My kids love receiving Dolly’s books. We’re grateful for the program (and) very sad to hear of her passing.”
Clarence Town mother of two, Grace Bourke learned about the program while pregnant with her now two-year-old son, Percy.
“When Percy was born, we signed him up,” Mrs Bourke said.
“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the books. For us, it’s a whole-family experience: taking the long walk down to the mailbox, then the excitement of ripping open the package to see what book we’ve received.”
Access to the library costs $108 per child per year, and Mrs Higgins says it’s a credit to local supporters of early literacy programs like Dolly’s library that no child has been turned away.
“Understanding what Anne and the volunteers have achieved in two years has been very inspiring,” said Mrs Bourke, who joined the early literacy group’s committee last year.
She particularly enjoys the Baby Book Club, a group of mums and younger children who meet to share a book reading.
“The library has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other local families.”
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