Co-creation boosts young people’s library engagement

Almost 90% of young people from marginalised groups felt more welcome in libraries after co-creating projects with them, new research has found.

In a pilot project funded by Arts Council England (ACE) between January and August this year, nearly three-quarters (71%) of participants also reported gaining new knowledge and skills, such as writing, communication and digital marketing.

The scheme, run by the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), involved seven library services across England. It tested co-created approaches with 56 young people aged between 11 and 13, including some who were neuro-divergent.

Venues participating in ASCEL’s pilot Youth Engagement Network included Watton Library in Norfolk, where young people created a scrapbook to record their thoughts and feelings after a series of weekly meetups.

Meanwhile, Almondbury Library in Kirklees worked with participants with complex autism on an art-based storytelling project that included props, costumes, musical instruments and sensory components.

After consultation with young people, Slough Libraries is now taking forward ideas such as producing a study pack and installing a smoothie station.

Some venues commissioned external expertise, such as a local artist at Luton Libraries and a children’s arts organisation in Kirklees.

ASCEL said that participating young people mainly used positive words to describe their experience, including “fun”, “amazing”, and “delightful”.

One described the programme as a “wonderful experience” that made them feel “relaxed and calm”. Another said: “Something I didn’t know before is how fun the library is.”

Meanwhile, following the pilot, 71% of participating library staff reported increased confidence in developing and delivering co-created projects with young people, and 86% felt better equipped to articulate the value of co-created work in libraries.

Lucy Banks, programme manager at ASCEL, said the report “highlights the value of working with children and young people and involving them at every level of decision-making”.

“We’re not only listening to young voices across the country; we want them to feel they have ownership of library spaces and services by creating programmes like the ASCEL Youth Engagement Network,” she said.

ASCEL chief executive Tabitha Witherick commented: “We know that libraries are a vital resource for young people, and now we have the evidence to show that co-creation can increase engagement by shaping vibrant and dynamic spaces where they feel welcome.”

The next phase of the scheme will involve 14 more library services.