THE Carnegie Dunfermline Trust has been working "nine to five" to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to the city.
The programme was inspired by the legendary country singer's father's inability to read and write and her mission is to inspire a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children.
It's paid for by Dolly and local community partners and proposals to bring it here took a major step forward last week when representatives from the Dollywood Foundation UK and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust met in the city.
The trust CEO, Gillian Taylor, said: “We were delighted to host this event.
"Dolly Parton was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy last year, and she wrote a letter to the people of Dunfermline to congratulate us on our city status.
"She expressed her wish that the Imagination Library could be made available to all children aged 0-5 living in the city.
"The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust is happy to bring people together to help make this a reality."
To bring the Imagination Library to all children across the city, The Dollywood Foundation UK team are inviting local charities, businesses and organisations to invest alongside Dolly to make this exciting vision a reality for Dunfermline’s children.
Marion Gillooly, executive director of foundation, added: “It is clear that the people of Dunfermline share Dolly’s vision and are passionate about continuing Andrew Carnegie's legacy.
"We look forward to hearing from partners who understand that inspiring children to love to read early in life is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.”
Dunfermline MSP Shirley Anne Sommerville also attended the meeting and said: "I firmly believe the Imagination Library provides us with a unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of young people and their families.
"As Scotland's newest city, we should always strive to allow the next generation to learn and to dream.
"We want to give them the tools they need to write the best - and brightest - chapter in Dunfermline's historic story.
"I stand ready to help enable this to happen in Dunfermline by speaking to community groups and local stakeholders about getting Dunfermline's Imagination Library project up and running.
"I'm also delighted that I will be sponsoring the Imagination Library exhibition in the Scottish Parliament next year, which will give my colleagues across the chamber the chance to learn more about this great initiative."
More information on how you can get involved in securing an Imagination Library for Dunfermline can be found here.
Alternatively, contact Gillian Taylor at gillian.taylor@carnegietrust.com.
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