My previous column, “Committing to Equity,” discussed how library staffers should approach centering equity authentically when creating programs and services for youth and families. In this column, I’d like to highlight some foundational principles of codesign and how they can make our offerings more accessible to the audiences we wish to reach.
Unlike traditional collaborations, codesign involves library staffers, community members, and youth working together as equals to design programs and services that meet the varying needs of young people and their families. It has emerged as a powerful strategy for making public library youth services more equitable. This approach not only fosters innovation but also strengthens community ties and considers a group’s strengths and challenges.
Through years of codesign work and conversations, I’ve identified a few foundational principles for the process that I find especially helpful.
Trust and relationships are required. Successful codesign requires openness and communication among all participants. This means creating an environment in which everyone feels welcome to exchange ideas and speak up without fear of judgment. Facilitators should encourage an “oops and ouch” approach, one in which codesigners take it upon themselves to correct issues (“oops, I said something that could be harmful, I apologize”) or point them out (“ouch, that statement is problematic to me, and here’s why”).
Everyone is an active and equal partner. In codesign, every voice needs to be valued, whether it’s that of a community partner, a library staffer, or a young person. This principle ensures that diverse perspectives are heard and considered and that the final outcomes reflect the collective wisdom of the entire group.
Facilitation is fluid. Codesign is dynamic, and meeting agendas should be seen as plans, not promises. This flexibility is crucial when developing a shared understanding of, and language around, the concept of equity. Meetings will require unexpected discussions. This approach also helps each vested partner learn to be open-minded in decision making.
Codesign celebrates the collective creativity, relationships, and learning that come from working together.
Design happens by doing. Iteration takes center stage in codesign. Sessions should be hands-on and allow participants to brainstorm together. For instance, when designing equitable summer services, library staffers and youth participants might explore challenges and opportunities by building on one another’s ideas for creating culturally responsive programs and services. A staffer might share that they have limited time to connect with marginalized groups in the community, while a teen codesigner might respond by talking about the existing relationships they have with community members and offering to broker connections.
Trust the process. Codesign can be unpredictable and ambiguous, but the process is key to plotting your course. Iterative discussions and activities help participants uncover new and innovative strategies. One time, when codesigning with a group in an urban public library, we asked participants: What is required to center equity in teen services? We did not know what answers we would get. Responses ranged from “power-sharing with teens” to “create a culture of learning.” With an array of answers, we were able to help codesigners take their next steps.
Embrace the joy. Beyond its outcomes, codesign brings joy to the process. It celebrates the collective creativity, relationships, and learning that come from working together and lays a foundation for ongoing engagement.
Codesign involves more than just adopting a new set of techniques—it requires a shift in mindset. Library staffers must embrace the uncertainty that codesign conversations foster. By taking the leap, they can transform their offerings in a meaningful way and better serve their communities.
