Nottingham children have now received more than 600,000 free books through the Imagination Library, a milestone that coincides with a fresh £150,000 investment from the local authority. This funding boost is designed to expand the reach of the program, ensuring thousands more under-fives across the city gain access to monthly reading materials at no cost to their families.
The initiative provides a free, age-appropriate book every month from birth until a child’s fifth birthday. By the time these children start primary school, they have built a personal library of up to 60 books, a factor proven to improve language skills and school readiness. The new funding is part of a wider £7.6 million investment program targeting essential services that directly impact the daily lives of local residents.
Expansion to reach 5,700 more children
The £150,000 allocation will allow an additional 5,700 children to register for the scheme. This expansion is critical for the city’s long-term educational goals, alongside wider work to strengthen youth support and access to trusted guidance across Nottingham. Councillor David Mellen, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, confirmed that the milestone of 600,000 books represents a significant achievement in fostering a love of reading among the city’s youngest residents.
While the council’s contribution provides a substantial foundation, the program continues to rely on the support of sponsors and community fundraisers. The ambition remains to eventually offer the scheme to every child living within the city boundaries. Currently, the program costs approximately £2 to provide a single book, while a donation of £125 can fund a child’s entire five-year journey through the library.
Geographic focus on specific city wards
The Nottingham Imagination Library currently prioritizes registrations in wards where the impact on school readiness is most needed. These areas include Bilborough, Aspley, Bulwell, and Radford. Nearly 3,000 children are currently active in the system across these locations, receiving their monthly deliveries directly to their homes.
Bestwood is the latest ward to be integrated into the scheme. Since the rollout began in that area in September last year, more than 100 babies have been registered. The phased approach ensures that resources are directed toward communities where the program can provide the most significant boost to early learning and vocabulary development.
The essentials of the Nottingham scheme
- Eligibility: Children from birth to age five living in designated city wards.
- Frequency: One high-quality, age-appropriate book delivered every month.
- Cost: Completely free for families; funded by the council and donations.
- Milestone: 600,000 books delivered since the program’s local inception.
- New Investment: £150,000 to support 5,700 new registrations.
Origins and the Dolly Parton partnership
The global Imagination Library was established by the Dolly Parton Foundation in 2009, with the Nottingham branch officially launching in Bilborough in 2012. This local version of the scheme was made possible through a partnership between the Nottingham City Council and the Rotary Club of Nottingham. Over the last 14 years, it has grown from a small pilot into a city-wide operation that has supported tens of thousands of families.
The program’s success is attributed to the simplicity of its delivery model and the high quality of the books selected for each age group. By removing the financial barrier to book ownership, the scheme ensures that all children, regardless of their family’s economic circumstances, have the tools needed to succeed when they enter the classroom for the first time.
Support through the Lord Mayor’s charities
Further institutional support for the scheme was confirmed this week as Councillor Cheryl Barnard was installed as the Lord Mayor of Nottingham. As a Trustee of the Nottingham Imagination Library, she has designated the program as one of her official Lord Mayor’s Charities for the upcoming year. This designation is expected to drive further fundraising efforts and public awareness for the scheme.
Residents and local businesses are encouraged to contribute to the program’s sustainability. Donations are handled directly through the Nottingham Imagination Library platform, with all funds going toward the purchase and distribution of books for local children. The program remains a central pillar of the city’s strategy to improve educational outcomes and support families during the critical early years of child development.
Source: Nottingham City Council
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