Knauf Drywall, the UK's leading manufacturer of lightweight building materials and systems, has become the first ever corporate programme operator of Dolly Parton's UK Imagination Library; an initiative to improve literacy in the under 5s through a charitable scheme of book distribution to registered children.

The music star launched the Imagination Library in 1996 in her home county in East Tennessee. Dolly's vision was to foster a love of reading among her county's preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create.

The programme is now replicated in over 1200 communities throughout Europe and North America. The UK Imagination Library was launched in December 2007 and, so far, over 18,000 British children have registered with the library. The scheme to date has delivered over 200,000 books across the UK, and 25 million internationally.

As the first corporate programme operator, Knauf Drywall is running a registration programme for the children of its employees. Speaking of the initiative, Barbara Findlay, HR Manager, says:

"Knauf Drywall recognises that reading is fundamental to learning and growth, but it should be fun too! We are delighted to be involved with the Imagination Library, it's our way of encouraging employees to share some time with their kids in an activity that is so beneficial.

Dolly Parton is testament to what you can achieve if you are determined enough. Her vision to create a love of reading in young people so that they can grow and learn is shared by Knauf Drywall. It creates the potential for UK industry to have a workforce in the future that can lead and outperform its world competitors. Who wouldn't want to be involved in contributing to that?"

Future building with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

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