Early Literacy Research Library (ELRL) - Article

Co-Designing a Shared Book Reading Environment at a Community Hub

Smith, H., Dunstan, K., Melvin, K., Armstrong, R., Frazer-Ryan, S., & Scarinci, N. (2023). Co-designing a shared book reading environment at a community hub. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25(3), 376-387.,

Access: Institutional Access

Publication year

2023

study description

Co-design process

core topic(s)

Shared Reading

Exposures, Outcomes, Other

Community , Home Language/Literacy/Learning Environment , Libraries and Public Resources , Parent Behaviors and Skills , Programs and Interventions (other)

objectives

Community hubs often provide support to families in areas of high vulnerability and can provide unique opportunities for delivering early literacy programs. This study used a co-design process to engage families, staff, and community partners within a community hub to design an environment that supported shared book reading.

exposure

Co-designing program within a community hub.

outcomes evaluated

Shared book reading environment

setting

Community hub

methods

The co-design process consisted of four phases: 1) interviews to understand user experiences relating to shared book reading; 2) focus groups to refine ideas into actions to support shared book reading and prioritize these actions; 3) implementation of changes; and 4) understanding of participants’ experiences of involvement.

measures

Interviews: to understand user experiences related to shared book reading
Focus group: to refine ideas into actions to support shared book reading and prioritize these actions

results

Participant identified changes were implemented within four categories: 1) changing how books are organized, 2) showing families how to share books, 3) giving families information about how books can be borrowed, and 4) running more activities about books. Participants indicated they enjoyed being a part of a co-design process to affect change at the community hub.

conclusions

Co-design enabled the development of collaborative changes to support book reading that were valued and owned by families, staff, and community partners. Community hubs can provide unique opportunities to engage with families in areas of vulnerability to support the development of early language and literacy skills.

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