Patrick children to receive free monthly books

Patrick, Isle of Man. 26th April 2026  

Children under 5 in Patrick can now register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to the Hanover Charitable Trust. Families who register by the end of April should receive their child’s first book in June.

The scheme posts a free, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth until their fifth birthday. The books are addressed to the child and delivered directly to their home.

Patrick is the latest area to open as the Isle of Man Imagination Library continues its rollout across the Island, with over 500 children already registered to receive books each month. Last month, registrations opened for IM7 postcodes - Andreas, Ballaugh, Bride, Jurby, Lezayre and Maughold - thanks to The Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust and the generous individuals and organisations of IM7.

The programme operates through a partnership model. Isle of Man Imagination Library raises the funding to cover the cost of books and postage for the Island, while Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation covers the programme’s central administration and coordinates large-scale publishing and distribution partnerships.  This creates significant economies of scale, allowing books to be delivered at a fraction of their retail cost. As a result, a local donation of just £26 will fund a Manx child to receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book every month for an entire year.

The Isle of Man Imagination Library is working to make Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available to every child under five on the Island. Areas are opened when funding for all under-fives in that area for 12 months is secured.

Registrations are now open for Andreas, Ballaugh, Bride, Douglas, Jurby, Lezayre, Maughold and Patrick. Parents are encouraged to register their child at imaginationlibrary.im before the end of April to receive the programme’s welcome book in June.

Anyone who feels they may be able to help, whether by supporting a new area or helping sustain the programme long term, is invited to visit imaginationlibrary.im to learn more, donate online, or get in touch by emailing books@imaginationlibrary.im.