Young People Feel Heard as Library Projects Put Them at the Heart of Decision-Making
By Community Correspondent
Young people involved in a national library programme say they feel more listened to, more welcome and more connected to their local libraries after being given a meaningful role in shaping services.
A new evaluation of the Libraries Rising Youth Engagement Network found that 94% of young people involved in the programme felt their views were genuinely listened to.
The project brought together 236 young people and 20 library services across England, with young people working alongside library staff to help design and improve services.
The findings suggest that involving young people in decisions that affect them can benefit both communities and the services designed for them, helping libraries become more inclusive and relevant to younger generations.
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Among the young people who took part:
- 94% felt their voice was truly listened to
- 92% felt more welcome in their library
- 85% felt proud of what they achieved
- 77% gained new skills and knowledge
- 61% said they would visit the library more often than before
The programme also had an impact on library staff. Of those involved:
- 88% said they developed greater empathy towards children and young people
- 81% said they felt more confident identifying what successful co-creation looks like
- 75% felt better able to demonstrate the value of co-created work
- 56% felt more confident delivering projects developed in partnership with young people
Young participants said the experience helped them feel valued and gave them a stronger connection with their local library.
One young person involved in the programme said: "Something new that I didn't know before is... you can use the library for free."
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A member of library staff said the project helped young people who often face barriers find a place where they felt understood and valued.
"It's enabled a group that feels that there are barriers in their lives anyway, to find somewhere that they feel valued and that they feel slightly more understood, that there aren't specific expectations on them as such."
Tabitha Witherick Macaulay, Chief Executive of Libraries Rising, said the programme showed the importance of giving young people a genuine role in shaping services.
"One of the most impactful takeaways was just how strongly young people engaged throughout the whole process. In many cases this helped challenge wider perceptions of young people's interest in libraries, including their enthusiasm to continue working with services beyond the initial activity.
"By building trust and taking a flexible approach to what can be achieved, the programme has demonstrated the value of co-creation as a model for meaningful engagement with young people. The key is to start the conversation, and to truly listen."
A member of library staff involved in the programme said they would like to see co-creation become much more common across the sector.
"I think co-creation is the way forward and I would like to see it in at least 75% of any future projects."
Libraries Rising is now calling for co-creation to become a core part of library practice, supported by a toolkit designed to help staff involve young people in shaping future services.
