A Simon Fraser University researcher says Indigenous-led libraries, combined with community schools, have benefits beyond learning and literacy. A recent study of 20 Indigenous-led BC libraries listed many more benefits. These include social confidence, community inclusion, wholistic literacy, emotional wellness, digital equity, as well as generative learning. Let’s examine these findings more closely.
The findings are part of a study of Write to Read BC’s library-building partnerships with isolated communities. The study results are scheduled to be published in the spring of 2026. Simon Fraser University’s Community-Engaged Research initiative (CERi) arranged the study to evaluate Write to Read BC’s ongoing libraries project.
Context: Indigenous education in BC
By embedding Indigenous culture in what teachers teach, schools in First Nations communities improve accomplishment and fulfilment for their elementary students. M.A. Burgess reported this in a University of Northern BC doctoral dissertation in 2017. Burgess further reported that community engagement and collaborative decision-making is key to grounding the school experience in the local culture.
Libraries have similar benefits for the community, not just for school-age children. When Indigenous communities co-create and co-deliver school programs, students experience high levels of community support and participation. Interestingly, this applies both to schoolchildren and family members. Indigenous-led community libraries play a part in this. Tasha Riley and 3 others reported this in their 2025 work on digital literacy in remote Indigenous community.
Benefits: Indigenous community libraries in BC
Indigenous community libraries often work alongside community schools and literacy programs in isolated communities. In BC, First Nations schools are funded through Indigenous Services Canada, and are often run independently from the provincial government. Libraries are funded with the support of non-profit organisations and projects such as Write to Read BC.
The benefits of Indigenous-led libraries for education include:
- Social confidence and community inclusion. Community libraries can improve literacy as well as the confidence of individuals and social groups. Ongoing, positive community inclusion and active participation is key.
- Wholistic literacy and emotional wellness. Libraries in isolated communities help people connect reading and writing skills with meaning and purpose. This experience can be intellectual, emotional, social, and cultural. People can also experience this through an online computer, using a library’s online learning centre. Rob McMahon and others reported this in Codesigning community networking, in 2024. They found that being connected to others enhances social and emotional well-being.
- Digital equity. Libraries that have an online learning centre rebalance the “digital divide” isolated Indigenous communities experienced historically. Given the global scale and adoption of digital technologies, online learning is crucial for all students. With it, they can develop their capacity for critical engagement rather than passive consumption of content. Critical digital literacy lets community members use global learning platforms, knowledge networks, and economic forums. Clearly, this can then inform Indigenous self-government.
- Generative learning. Education delivered in the community that involves other community members will maintain and strengthen the community. This occurs by integrating new ideas and information with existing knowledge. Jessica Ball reported this in American Indian Quarterly in 2004. She reported that the benefits of library use and learning extend beyond the students themselves. This is often in ways that cannot be predicted or measured. Ball wrote that the spontaneous generation of new knowledge and new behaviour is essential to keep living communities alive.
The research for this report was conducted in 2025. The report, in its final form, will be published in the spring 2026.
