Write to Read BC

Tag: communities

  • Study: Libraries serve Indigenous children and adults alike

    A recent study found that adults in isolated, Indigenous communities use libraries as much as children do, sometimes more. The 2025 study looked at the long-term impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed in partnership with Write to Read BC.

    This research was made possible with Simon Fraser University’s CERi funding. The study’s Indigenous researcher gathered data from isolated communities that installed an indigenous-led library with us.

    School libraries

    Many communities installed a library connected to their local school. Obviously, these spaces get significant use by children.

    However, adults also want to use reading materials and programs about culture and language. That’s why some schools welcome adults, too. For example, Nisaika Kumtuks school in Nanaimo set specific hours for family members to use material in its library.

    Rather than in a school, many communities installed books and computers a separate community facility. Both children and adults can use these, but they are harder to fund, according to some study participants. “There is funding for libraries attached to schools, but not necessarily for community-specific libraries,” the study’s author reports.

    Nevertheless, over the past 15 years most libraries installed with Write to Read BC are community libraries.

    Community libraries

    In addition to support for reading—including reading about Indigenous cultures and languages—these spaces are also community-building hubs. This is one of the benefits that attracts community members. Often, libraries are a showcase of local culture and history. One participant mentioned plans to create a museum alongside the library.

    In addition to these adult-oriented activities, community libraries also help educate children. Since 20% of the youth living on reserves attend school online, community libraries often have a role in childhood education.

    Unfortunately, older libraries in the Write to Read BC program did not all include computers and high-speed Internet. Some participants told the researcher that “a designated space” for online learners would be “a helpful addition to their community.” This would benefit adults and children alike.

    Findings from the CERi study were first presented in October, 2025.

    Research on the impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed together with Write to Read BC in isolated BC communities.

  • Value in isolated libraries: SFU study

    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.

    Research on the impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed together with Write to Read BC in isolated BC communities.

  • Promoting Write to Read BC with BCLA librarians

    Today, Write to Read BC announced the launch of this updated website to members of BC Library Association, or BCLA. That’s because BCLA members are well placed to promote the Write to Read BC project. The announcement also mentions an upcoming impact study about communities that have an indigenous-led library.

    BC Library Association logo.

    The role of librarians

    Librarians focus on advocacy, professional development, and support of intellectual freedom. BCLA members work to ensure everyone has equitable access to information, ideas, and works of the imagination. In contrast, Write to Read BC does the same by following the lead of First Nations communities.

    The announcement to BCLA

    This is what today’s announcement covered:

    On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation it’s fitting to announce two things about the long-lasting Write to Read BC project.

    1. There is a new website, writetoreadbc.org.
    2. An impact study is in its final stages, with a report scheduled to be released in November.

    As many of you know, former lieutenant-governor of BC Steven Point envisioned and initiated this project during his time in that role between 2007 and 2012. A key partner in making the project a reality was his aide-de-camp at the time, Bob Blacker, an active member of a Rotary Club. CBC carried a story about this joint effort in May of 2014, as did various newspapers.

    Fast forward and along the way to 2025, Write to Read BC has collaborated with numerous Indigenous communities, under their leadership, to plan and install highly local libraries and learning centres. The new website documents these multiple efforts going back to 2011.

    Funding and support for the new website and the impact report was generously provided by SFU’s Main Street Research Shop. It collaborates with community partners, students, and faculty members to address community questions and concerns through research. The SFU Indigenous Student Centre has been equally generous in contributing in-kind support for a portion of the work schedule to co-supervise both the research and the web development.

  • Tsawassen

    About the community

    The Tsawwassen First Nation is in greater Vancouver, in BC’s lower mainland. Its name means “land facing the sea”. Traditionally, its lands covered a what is now Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, and several gulf islands off the mainland’s west coast. It has lands close to the south arm of the Fraser River, and just north of the border with the USA at Point Roberts.

    Tsawassen First Nation has a youth centre on site that includes a gymnasium, weight room, art room, teen lounge, and teaching kitchen. It has areas for music, dance, and media that allow for scheduled and drop-in classes. There is after-school care for young children.

    The centre also has a library.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed the library in partnership with the Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre.

  • Xwemelch’stn School

    About the community

    The Squamish Nation is based in BC’s lower mainland, in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Squamish, BC. It includes 26 First Nations reserves around the Capilano River, Mosquito Creek, and Seymour River on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, along the Squamish River, and in Gibsons and Port Mellon in Howe Sound.

    One of Squamish Nation’s schools, Capilano Littlest Ones, brings together 130 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the Norgate area of urban North Vancouver. The school and its library bring together Indigenous and non-indigenous citizens, to break down social barriers, build bridges across cultures, and re-establish positive relationships. Capilano Littlest Ones is a community school under the auspices of North Vancouver School District.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed a library in Capilano Littlest Ones Xwemelch’stn School. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise.

  • Aboriginal Mother Centre

    About the organisation

    Aboriginal Mother Centre offers housing in Vancouver, BC, for mothers and their young children, who are at risk of homelessness or child welfare intervention. The program offers suites for mothers and children under the age of nine.

    The program focuses on mothers giving back to their community, for example by helping with the Elders program by serving food, cleaning up tables, distributing food to take home, and engaging with Elders.

    Aboriginal Mother Centre also offers family-wellness programs for mothers to enhance their skills and abilities as parents, and help them on their life journeys. Each week, the centre also offers parenting workshops, housing- and resources workshops, life-skills workshops and self-care workshops.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC placed a library in the Aboriginal Mothers Centre. The library’s sponsors included the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium.

  • T’exelcemc

    About the community

    The T’exelcemc, or people of Williams Lake First Nation, is in the central interior of BC, in the Cariboo region, at the city of Williams Lake. Its main Indian Reserve is Williams Lake Indian Reserve No. 1, also known as Sugarcane.

    About the library

    The library in Little Chiefs Elementary school, in T’exelcemc First Nation, Williams Lake, was installed in partnership with Write to Read BC. It is our 20th library.

  • Gitsegukla

    About the community

    Gitsegukla is is on the southeast side of the Skeena River adjacent to the Kitseguecla River mouth, in west-central BC’s Skeena region. This indigenous community is about 100 km northwest of Smithers and about 110 km northeast of Terrace.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed its 19th library here, in the Gitsegukla elementary school. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of Terrace-Skeena Valley, the Rotary Club of Peachland, and the Jack Gin Family Foundation.

    The entrance of Gitsegukla school and library.
    A literacy-focused addition to the community school.

  • Tsi-Deldel

    About the community

    The Tsi-Deldel or Tŝideldel First Nation is in the western Chilcotin district of the BC’s central Interior region. Its offices are located on Redstone Reserve. It includes smaller reserves around Redbrush and Puntzi Lake. It is sometimes referred to as the Alexis Creek Indian Band.

    Tsi-Deldel First Nation’s traditional way of life includes fishing, hunting, and plant gathering. Community members fish for salmon and trout, and gather berries and medicinal plants in the surrounding rivers, lakes, mountains and traditional areas. These practices have been a part of its way of life for generations and continue to be an essential part of its culture today.

    About the library

    Write to read BC installed its 18th library here. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast, and the Jack Gin Family Foundation.

  • Rocky Pines, Lower Nicola Indian Band

    About the community

    Lower Nicola Indian Band, is one of the interior Salish first peoples in the south-central interior of BC. Its community and offices are located at Shulus, also known as Lower Nicola, just west of Merritt, BC, between BC’s lower mainland and Kamloops.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC placed its 17th library in Rocky Pines, or Lower Nicola Indian Band. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise.

    Over 1,000 books on the shelves of Rocky Pines library.