Interview: Chris Barber

Sunshine Library in Wakefield is the first library specifically for children under five. Librarian Chris Barber talks about creativity, consultation and cups of tea in an interview in Under 5 magazine. Following is an extract.

We have been open for five years at the end of this week. It seems a long time because the services we provide and even the physical appearance of the library have changed so much over the years, in line with the needs of the parents and children using it. From the very start we have consulted with families to see what they want and need from the library. A focus group of parents initially consulted on what stock we should have, the theme of the library, the furniture, and they even asked to call the library Sunshine, which is a wonderful name. We have continued to consult with parents so we can keep meeting their changing needs, which has worked phenomenally well. Of course, we have never promised that we could provide everything they have asked for - if we did the library would now have a swimming pool and a row of optics on the wall! But we do promise to listen and meet the needs that we can.

Questionnaires don't really work when consulting with the children, ask them what they like best at the library and they will say 'toast' as we give them this in the mornings. Instead we use smiley faces and ask 'do you like our books?'. They then use the smiley faces to show what they like. One very good method is to give children digital cameras and ask them to take pictures of what they like best, and what they don't really like. [.]

Who uses the library?
The library is exceptionally well used. Since opening in 2001 we have loaned out 38,296 items and have 814 children and 645 adults registered as users. [.] The library is open to everyone - we wouldn't turn people away just because they aren't from the area. It is important not to ghettoise the people who use the library, or to stigmatise them as being from a 'deprived' area.

We have a cross-section of parents, from affluent families who come the extra distance to get here, to families that need their hands held to walk across the threshold. Parents act as peer mentors to encourage others to come in. We have a lot of dads with weekend access rights who come here because it is warm, welcoming, parent and child-focused, and free! [.]

What initiatives are you currently running that are designed specifically for families with young children?
We have a full range of activities. We work in partnership with the nursery next door, with Tea and Tissues. When children first attend the nursery, to settle in their parent leaves them probably just for 10 or 15 minutes, so they can get used to being there on their own. The parent/carer is welcome to come in to the library, whether we are open or not to wait for that time. We have a comfy chair, where they can sit down, and we have a box of tissues by the side of it because almost every time they start to cry. We put the kettle on and make them a cup of tea. It is only a little thing but it has huge benefits for the individual parent. It makes a great difference to them, and makes them more comfortable about using the nursery.

We also run a ten-week semi-formal learning course called Little Learners. This looks at preparing for your child to go to nursery, learning about the foundation stage and things to do at home. We call our IT group for under-fives Cybertots. Children have absolutely no fear of technology, even though I sometimes lose my hair over them bashing at the computer! This is a superb way of encouraging parents and carers who will often say 'I wish I was like that', so we set them working on a computer next to the child, getting used to how they work, and helping them print something out for their child to use at home - so it starts to have meaning for them. Several parents have gone on to adult learning courses. We run lots of activities, including Spanish events with the community language worker with rhymes and activities, crafts and food.

We also have a role identifying basic skills needs. The library is a non-threatening environment where adults can open up about their schooling and difficulties they may be having. At the end of the Little Learners course we hand out a certificate - one parent was so pleased as it was the first certificate she had gained in her life.

What role can libraries play in family life and early years development?
The role libraries play is massive. Most first time parents really don't have much confidence. We offer informal support and advice, refer to our professionals and give them a helping hand to share books and stories with their children. This plays such an important role in developing language and communication, and really does give them the best start. It opens up the fantastic world of books and stories - the staff here have the skills to do that and support parents to do so.

How are libraries helping to encourage creativity in early years?
Here at Sunshine we have developed everything in the library to encourage creativity, encouraging children to enter new worlds and have new experiences. We have a dressing-up box with a sign asking 'Who will you be today?'. I think that is a brilliant sentiment, building children's aspirations for the future that they can do anything. We always have creative craft activities with a range of resources out everyday. We have a fantastic garden where children can plant artificial flowers to create an instant garden. For very young babies we have treasure baskets with objects made from natural materials to explore - with their mouths usually. For World Book Day we all created paper pants, based on the book Pants, to hang on a line across the library. There were feathery pants and pants with glitter, it was great. Stories always offer opportunities to be creative. The whole library is all about using imagination and trying something different. With such a safe environment here, parents are happy for children to go and try things for themselves rather than breathing down their necks all the time. We have inclusive activities and resources, toys and books need to be appropriate for children with additional needs. We also have dual language books in 19 different languages from Albanian to Zulu! This is in response to refugee families in the community so they can share books with their children. [.]

What are the main challenges in the year ahead?
The main challenge for us is gaining mainstream funding. The Sure Start funding ends next year and we are working very hard to make the service every child's entitlement. In the meantime, we continue to develop and achieve, responding to the needs of parents and children.

What we hear a lot from parents is that they want to see libraries like this everywhere. Parents with very young children often feel awkward in libraries, feeling that they are disturbing other users. The beauty of Sunshine is that everyone is the same; they understand that sometimes a child will wee on the carpet and it isn't a big deal. Sometimes nappies will need changing, or a child will kick off - it just isn't a problem. Having a separate library for children under five really works here - they are a special section of society who need different services and support. If there were more Sunshines everywhere, more children will get into the library habit at an early age. Everyone should have access to a service like this.

(Extracted from Under 5, July/August 2006)