Ladder of participation – a tool for evaluating young people's involvement to library services, actions and plans

The ladder of participation is an evaluation tool for children or young people participation. It has been used mainly within environmental and infrastructural development, community planning and youth work. The model was invented and developed by Roger Hart and already earlier Sherry R. Arnstein. Arnstein's model focuses on citizen empowerment in general, Hart's model is a tool for recognizing young people’s participation. Libraries can use the ladders to view existing or planned activities and measure them against the tool. Simple visual appearance of the tool makes it easy, appealing and attracting to use both in evaluation and proactive planning. The simple image of ladder inspires to start a conversation within the library. The ladder act as a support base for ideas and a tool for developing processes together with children and youth in area, community and library.