Participatory design was an important buzz word when I was in grad school. My professors and classmates talked all the time about how librarians could involve our patrons in projects, in programs and have our community really be a part of what happens during a program.
The theories and practices prove that participatory design creates more successful and beneficial programs, but it is hard to implement in real life, especially with children. It’s easy to let it slip to the wayside.
Something I picked up at my first #alaac2018 session was that as a youth librarian, we are typically used to toughing it out and doing things on our own. We are not alone. Our community, our children, our base can help us we just need to reach out.
Librarians can learn from the children as much as they can learn from us. Don’t know how to work something? Have the kids help each other. Not sure what the kids want to do? Ask. Everyone has different strengths and we can share them.
Teen advisory boards are common for engaging teens, but how can we reach the younger population?
- -tween advisory board
- -Sticker polls with program ideas
- -Ask for feedback after programs
- -Voting for favorite book characters, programs
- -Informal surveys
- -Vote for books during storytimes
Through participatory design, all stakeholders can be involved in the design process. It might seem like more heads and more work, but can lead to more meaningful results.
A new term was introduced to me: Connected learning.
Connected learning is interest powered, production centered, peer-supported, shared purpose, academically oriented and openly networked. So many networks that show how people work together to make action happen.
Can librarians rethink our programming and see how we can make it more of a team effort, how we can use participatory design to make the most of our programs?
P.S. in the spirit of participatory design: what else do you want to hear about at this conference? Let me know in the comments!!