This year marked the delivery of two million Imagination Library books to children across Australia, made possible by the ongoing commitment of our community partners.
We are so excited to share that the 2026 book list is now live, featuring new editions and timeless classics carefully selected by our Book Selection Committee.
Thanks to our incredible community partners, more than half a million Imagination Library books reached children and families across Australia this year.
Orlando was one of the first children to begin receiving Imagination Library books in Tamworth. Shared by his mother Emily, this video follows his reading journey from those first books as a newborn through to the day he sets off to school, showing how moments of shared book-reading support early literacy and strengthen family connection.
Last month, United Way Australia joined the Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood in Canberra to share global research and local evidence on how shared book-reading through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library strengthens families, communities, and early literacy outcomes.
In 2025, we opened new programs across Onkaparinga SA, Light LGA SA, Victor Harbor SA, Churchill and Morwell VIC, Airds NSW, Muswellbrook LGA NSW, Nambour QLD, Western Downs QLD, Winnunga Nimmityjah ACT, Launceston Northern Suburbs TAS, and Ravenswood TAS.
We thank our new partner communities for their commitment to early literacy. With growing momentum across Australia, we are supporting more children and families than ever before, and in 2026 we look forward to reaching even more.
Global Evidence Behind the Imagination Library’s Impact
Dr Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, will present findings from her PhD research demonstrating the positive impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on early literacy, family connectedness and community cohesion. Drawing on international data from Australia, the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, this session will share evidence and insights community partners can use to support local advocacy, reporting and funding conversations.
We're excited to share that our next webinar will be on your screens in late summer. Join our panel of experts for information and practical advice on how to initiate and fund an Imagination Library in your community. Registrations will open in January 2026.
Sharing Tamworth’s Story with Dolly Parton
A meaningful moment came earlier this year when country music artists Mark and Jay O’Shea, ambassadors of the Imagination Library shared Tamworth’s success directly with Dolly Parton.
Our office will be closed for the holiday period from 25th December to 4th January.
United Way Australia staff live across many unceded Aboriginal Lands. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country across what is now known as Australia. We specifically pay our respects to the Peoples whose Lands we live and work on:
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