Betsy Reilly runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of London

Betsy Reilly, an instructor in Western’s bachelor of education program, runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of London. The program, started by the late singer, mails a free book each month to children from birth until they turn five and has sent more than 300 million books worldwide. After Parton’s death, hundreds of new London families registered.

The local chapter is one of more than 400 affiliates of the Dollywood Foundation of Canada. Children receive up to 60 books over five years, 80 per cent of them Canadian publications, with a dual-language Indigenous book each year. Books cost $3.85 each plus postage, and the program sits within the London Community Foundation so every donated cent goes to books and mailing.

Reilly taught primary grades with the Thames Valley District School Board before joining Western, where she teaches language arts to future teachers. The program held a fundraising day on September 25, a nod to Parton’s song 9 to 5.