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![scottishbooktrust.com
Bookbug Co-ordinators
• Bookbug Co-ordinators have critical role
• Enthusiasm and commitment – but time allocated &
organisation of the role varied.
“the Bookbug programme is fantastic and I am so pleased to
be involved. There are challenges including staffing, capacity
issues and storage capacity. In our current economic times
[this is] no surprise but we must press on to do our best in
the circumstances” (Bookbug Co-ordinator)
• Training and support (local & national) essential to
development of culture of clear communication, local
knowledge and shared practice.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/bookbug-171030105205/85/Bookbug-evaluating-the-impact-in-Scotland-10-320.jpg)
![scottishbooktrust.com
Supporting language
development,
bonding & social
interaction
High demand for existing
sessions
85% of families were aware
of Bookbug Sessions
32% currently attending
“He gets excited when I tell him
he is going to the Bookbug
Session. If I give him a choice, it
would be Bookbug he would
choose, every time.”
“She likes the interaction with
other kids […] she just loves it,
she just lights up”
Impact of Bookbug Sessions](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/bookbug-171030105205/85/Bookbug-evaluating-the-impact-in-Scotland-11-320.jpg)
Uploaded byCILIPScotland
Bookbug: evaluating the impact in Scotland
The Bookbug programme in Scotland promotes early literacy by encouraging parents and children to share books together from birth through various initiatives like Bookbug bags and sessions. An evaluation revealed significant involvement of libraries, positive community impacts, and challenges in reaching vulnerable groups, highlighting the need for further outreach and support. Continuous collaboration and digital innovation are essential for enhancing the programme's effectiveness and accessibility for all families.
Bookbug: evaluating the impact in Scotland
- 1. Bookbug: evaluating the impactin Scotland scottishbooktrust.com Catriona Wallace, Head of Early Years, Scottish Book Trust Dr Emma Davidson, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at University of Edinburgh
- 2. scottishbooktrust.com Workshop overview • Librariesrole in the Bookbug programme • The evaluation – why and how • Key findings for libraries • Challenges: Group discussion • Moving forward
- 3. scottishbooktrust.com The Bookbug Programme •Encourages all parents and children to share books together from birth: • Bookbug bags • Bookbug Sessions • Library Challenge • Outreach programme (including Bookbug for the Home) • Gaelic and Scots • Additional support needs • Delivered in every local authority and health board in Scotland to every baby and child • Scottish Government funding
- 4. scottishbooktrust.com Libraries and Bookbug Keypartners: • As Bookbug co-ordinators • Leading Bookbug sessions • 23,670 sessions in 2016-2017 • 687,251 adult & child attendances • Gifting Bookbug bags • Delivering outreach and wider role activities
- 5. scottishbooktrust.com Evaluation aims • How,and to what extent, is the programme impacting on parents and children in Scotland, and on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Early Years professionals: – Are certain groups less able to gain the benefits of the Bookbug programme and if so, why? – What is the nature of the link between the Bookbug Bags and Bookbug Sessions? Why is such a link important? – Is there a link between the way Bookbug Bags are gifted and the impact they have on a family? – Do the bags inform professionals and families’ knowledge of Bookbug and Scottish Book Trust and the wider range of services available?
- 6.
- 7. scottishbooktrust.com Evaluation methods • Nationalsurvey (n=4,387) & interviews with parents and carers (n=42) • Survey of professionals (n=627) • Six locality based case studies – interviews with 55 professionals & 141 parents / carers – observations of 12 Bookbug Sessions and eight toddler / family groups
- 8. scottishbooktrust.com Survey results: Bookbug andlibrary services • Very strong sectoral involvement: – Majority (29) of co-ordinators based in library services – 97% involved in sessions, 92% in gifting – Highest trained sector (81% have Bookbug training compared to 64% of all practitioners) … but library staff more likely to need training refreshed – Strong understanding of BB aims (97%) & feelings of involvement (87%) – Bookbug seen as good strategic ‘fit’ (locally and nationally)
- 9. scottishbooktrust.com Survey results: Bookbug’s contributionto library services • ‘Large positive impact’ on organisation (73% compared to 41% overall) • ‘Large positive impact’ on being part of community (61% compared to 38% overall) • Supports positive relationships with parents / carers (83% compared to 71% overall) • ‘Large positive impact’ on collaborative working (41% compared to 30% overall) • Generated joint working with external partners (75% compared to 52% overall)
- 10. scottishbooktrust.com Bookbug Co-ordinators • BookbugCo-ordinators have critical role • Enthusiasm and commitment – but time allocated & organisation of the role varied. “the Bookbug programme is fantastic and I am so pleased to be involved. There are challenges including staffing, capacity issues and storage capacity. In our current economic times [this is] no surprise but we must press on to do our best in the circumstances” (Bookbug Co-ordinator) • Training and support (local & national) essential to development of culture of clear communication, local knowledge and shared practice.
- 11. scottishbooktrust.com Supporting language development, bonding &social interaction High demand for existing sessions 85% of families were aware of Bookbug Sessions 32% currently attending “He gets excited when I tell him he is going to the Bookbug Session. If I give him a choice, it would be Bookbug he would choose, every time.” “She likes the interaction with other kids […] she just loves it, she just lights up” Impact of Bookbug Sessions
- 12. scottishbooktrust.com • Session leadershave a critical role • Session leaders (largely) enjoy leading sessions • Challenges inc. staffing, prep time, engaging parents • Room lay-out, qualities of session leader and group size can impact on experience & attendance • Outreach activities stretched & underresourced • Collaboration with other agencies & strategic commitment central to success Bookbug Sessions
- 13. scottishbooktrust.com Fulfilling the potentialof individuals and communities? “more vulnerable groups find it difficult to attend the library, they can be supported to come, but often after an initial visit do not return.” (librarian) “We know there are lots of parents who don’t come. Sometimes we can see them sitting outside the library in the café and we’ve tried all sorts but we can’t get them to come in.” (Bookbug co-ordinator) “outreach is the best answer to bridging this divide, but that is where library services often lack resourcing, both staff time and budget” (library assistant)
- 14. scottishbooktrust.com Assumptions and inclusivity Bookson shelves Ripped books Books in boxes
- 15. scottishbooktrust.com Assumptions and inclusivity •Make the first visit count • Bookbug Sessions • Welcoming latecomers • Awareness of anxieties • Encouraging belonging and everyday kindness • Understanding non- attendance • Community outreach Books on shelves Ripped books
- 16. scottishbooktrust.com Seeing Bookbug asa programme with cumulative impacts • “I would have thought “oh, she’s too young”, so it prompted me to think “oh well if they’re giving it to me, she can’t be too young…These things are good to remind you to do it” (parent) • “it has helped us make reading part of the routine, it is my time for cuddles with my oldest, our time together” (parent)
- 17. scottishbooktrust.com Seeing Bookbug asa programme with cumulative impacts • “I think that gifting on its own gives benefits - but there are more benefits for babies/children and families who attend Bookbug Sessions” (Bookbug Co-ordinator) • “Those who access the Bookbug Sessions gain huge benefits, but those who just receive the bags but do not attend any song and rhyme sessions have a much diminished benefit.” (early years, professional survey)
- 18. scottishbooktrust.com Take home messages •Bookbug’s impact depends on libraries & library staff – libraries & library staff can benefit from Bookbug • Impact on families is cumulative – therefore critical to recognise Bookbug as a whole programme (and how sessions fit within this) • Start early - creating familiarity with library goes together with family reading habits • Some families are less able to engage with Bookbug and libraries – important to understand why • Crucial role for libraries outwith library space
- 19. scottishbooktrust.com Time to reflect •What role can digital technology play in supporting how Bookbug develops in the future? • How can libraries make sure that Bookbug is reaching the people who need it the most? • How can SBT support libraries to engage with families in community spaces outwith libraries? • What can SBT do to advocate for the good Bookbug practice in your local area?
- 20. scottishbooktrust.com Moving forward • Workingclosely with the Libraries Early Years Strategic Group • Focus on key groups who are not fully accessing Bookbug: young parents, dads, EAL, families with ASN, hospitals, prisons • Digital development
- 21.