literacy is a foundation of life
Imagination Library Australia fills the heart, but we know it must also make a measurable difference.
The evidence is in for the global and Australian impact, and through our partnership with United Way Australia, their Head of Research Dr Claire Galea and University partners we have already started our first 6 monthly impact reports for Tasmania too.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted millions of books to children from birth to age five. Now, a groundbreaking international study—the largest dataset ever collected on shared book reading—reaffirms the program’s powerful impact.
Led by researcher Dr. Claire Galea, the study surveyed more than 86,000 caregivers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Families were followed for twelve months and compared with caregivers whose children had not yet received books.
The results are clear: Just 10 books can spark measurable gains in early literacy, vocabulary, and family reading routines—and the greatest impact appears in communities facing the highest barriers.