Making sense of participation in cultural activities for children

Introduction. This paper investigates participatory practices in library activities for young children and their care-givers in a specific cultural context. Method. Using an ethnographic approach data were collected through participant observations of songtimes for babies and toddlers, and interviews and group interviews with staff and care-givers. Analysis. With a theoretical departure point in communities of practice the data were analysed by searching for themes and connections to cultural contexts. Trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation: observations of children’s activities were related to the interpretations of care-givers’ through interviews; member checking through feedback from adult participants; and, ongoing discussions of interpretations between the researchers. Results. The study's findings show how library activities for children can serve as spaces where both a community of practice focused on “mothering” can develop as well as special child communities of practice. Participation is identified as work Page 1 of 12 Making sense of participation in cultural activities for children 11/12/2013 http://informationr.net/ir/18-3/colis/paperC06.html involving children, adults and professionals in interaction with place and promoted by a view of place as dynamic rather than static. Conclusions. We conclude that participatory practices in library activities for young children are situated and co-evolve through intergenerational dialogue; they are also partial and ongoing. By promoting intercultural dialogue, library activities for young children may become more socially inclusive.