Country and western megastar Dolly Parton has struck a deal with Aberdeen City Council to provide free books for some of the city’s poorest children.
The 9 to 5 singer spoke exclusively to the Press and Journal as she named the Granite City as the next target for her global library scheme for underprivileged youngsters.
Her Imagination Library provides free books for children from birth to the age of five and operates across the globe.
Local authority chiefs were in talks with Ms Parton for months to bring the initiative to the city.
From next month, every child in care in Aberdeen enrolled in the project will receive a book in the post every month.
Each one is personally addressed and all titles in the library are published by Penguin Random House.
Council bosses hailed the project as a “great way” to boost reading among children in care.
Ms Parton, who grew up in Sevier County, Tennessee, has described her own family as “dirt poor”.
But over a five decade career she overcame hardship to become the most successful country and western star of all time, composing international hits I will Always Love You, Jolene, 9 to 5 and many more.
Announcing the project yesterday, the 70-year-old told the Press & Journal: “I am delighted to be working with Aberdeen City Council on a project which has already brought so much joy to millions of children all over the world.
“Being able to bring my Imagination Library programme to Aberdeen is particularly special to me, as I have always felt a special affinity with Scotland.
“Much of my music has been inspired by Scotland so it’s only right that we are now in a position to bring more joy into the lives of looked after children in Aberdeen.
“When I started the Imagination Library in my hometown in Tennessee I never dreamed of days like today.
“I have always felt at home in Scotland and now that connection has deepened with Aberdeen’s decision to launch the Imagination Library.”
Since Ms Parton set up the first Imagination Library in 1995 her Dollywood Foundation has sent more than 70 million free books to child worldwide, with more than 1.3million posted in the UK and counting.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “Dolly is known all over world for her phenomenal work in the arts, on screen and as a businesswoman.
“But I believe her Imagination programme will be her lasting legacy as it has the power to transform millions of lives.”
Aberdeen City Council’s director of education and children’s services, Gayle Gorman, said: “Hundreds of children in Aberdeen will benefit from Dolly’s passion and generosity.
“We have worked tirelessly in recent months to bring the Imagination Programme to Aberdeen.
“We already have in place one of the most ambitious and aspirational programmes for looked after children in the country which includes a grant system to help them achieve their ambitions, an advocates scheme to ensure that they have a voice and can communicate to us how we can best help them reach their full potential, and a ‘virtual head teacher’ project which allows us to monitor their progress by remote and tailor their academic programme to best suit their needs.”
