Student Engagement Librarian University of North Texas
As libraries strive to create inclusive and supportive environments, it is crucial to address the unique challenges faced by student-parents and reduce barriers to access for this user group.
Access Services employees at an academic library aimed to do this through two grant-funded initiatives: allocating designated time and space for family study hours, where student-parents would feel welcome to study in the library while accompanied by their children, and by designing and purchasing a circulating collection of themed kits with toys and books for their children’s entertainment while visiting the library. By sharing experiences, the presenters hope to facilitate a discussion among librarians regarding the best practices for supporting student-parents in the library. This presentation will highlight initial efforts, assess impact, discuss challenges encountered during the implementation of these initiatives, including lack of attendance and engagement with the target audience, and outline plans to refine and expand these initiatives in the future using lessons learned.
This presentation will discuss the challenges encountered during the implementation of these initiatives, including the lack of attendance and engagement with the target audience.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to identify barriers faced by student-parents in accessing academic library resources and services.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to evaluate the impact of currently offered services for student-parents at their own institutions.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to adapt these methods for supporting student-parents at their own institutions.
