Researcher and Simon Fraser University (SFU) graduate Jody Bauche recently spoke about 15 years of Write to Read BC projects. These projects are partnerships with Indigenous communities, to design and install the library they want. Bauche’s research findings suggest that isolated indigenous communities across BC gain substantially. The gains show up in several ways.
Firstly, at a community-wide level libraries are places where people connect, according to Bauche. She found that Write to Read BC libraries foster resiliency and active community participation. The libraries are used as community hubs.
Secondly, individual or “autonomous” library use is also connected to increased productivity within communities.
Thirdly, the effect on literacy is positive. Bauche found an increased interest in literacy related to community libraries installed by Write to Read BC.
Lastly, Bauche noted several community challenges indirectly related to libraries. For example, due to shifts in literacy funding, schools have been absorbing community-based programs. Also, expanding those community programs increases the demand for meeting space. A community library can ease the demands on schools and provide another place to host programs.
Full details of the findings will be available when Bauche publishes her complete study, later this year. The study, which Write to Read BC requested, received funding from SFU Community-Engaged Research Initiative, or SFU CERi. This program helps community organisations understand the effectiveness of their efforts. During this research, Bauche applied her cultural insight as a First Nation member. And as a graduate of SFU’s Communication, Art and Technology faculty, she also brought her academic training.
As for the findings, Bauche shared them first with Write to Read BC leaders and the Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond. That’s because the Rotary Club is a significant funder of the Indigenous-led libraries that Write to Read BC volunteers install. Over the past 15 years, these partnerships have resulted in about two dozen libraries in isolated communities across BC.
About Jody Bauche
For about 2 decades after completing a 2005 degree in social work, Jody Bauche worked as an Indigenous social worker. More recently, she enrolled in SFU’s new program, Communication Research for Social Change. In this program. Bauche was among the first to graduate. She earned a Master of Arts in Communication with a project about supporting Indigenous sovereign and cultural production.
In a mid-2025 interview about the Social Change program, Bauche spoke with SFU staff writer, Andrew Ringer. Bauche told Ringer that her work toward a master degree will help her ability to lobby government. It also helps her frame things in a way that inspires others to get on board with social change. Bauche said communication, art, and technology will help Indigenous people retain and develop their cultural knowledge. Bauche told Ringer that social change is non-partisan because everybody benefits.
In addition to her research work, Bauche teaches communication in an Indigenous context at Royal Roads University. She also teaches social work at Camosun College.