Study Space for Students with Young Children
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like325 views
This document summarizes the process undertaken by Reese Library at Augusta State University to establish a family study room. It describes how the idea was proposed by a student worker in 2006 and approved by the university. It then details the research, policy and procedure development, furnishing, and soft launch of the family room over the subsequent months. Key aspects included restricting access with a code-locked door, establishing sign-in/out procedures, and setting usage guidelines and violation consequences. Since opening, the room has been well-used with few issues, demonstrating its value to students with children on campus.
Study Space for Students with Young Children
- 1. Camilla Baker and Michelle DeLoach Reese Library Augusta State University Presented at Inspiration, Innovation, Celebration: an Entrepreneurial Conference for Librarians University of North Carolina at Greensboro June 3, 2009
- 3. “Meeting Students Where They Stand” Reese Library Student Retention and Success Committee
- 4. Student security worker: Jamie Bassett All-Library meeting Library unit plan strategy
- 5. January 2006 Idea from Jamie February 1, 2006 Discussion at All- Library meeting
- 6. March 1, 2006 Discussion and decisions made and proposal written March 29, 2006 Approved by ASU and allowed by USG
- 7. April 13, 2006 Committee surveyed 3rd floor for the right location April 26, 2006 VPAA and Director of Physical Plant visit May 9, 2006 End-of-year funds allocated for furnishings
- 9. June 2006 Research on policies begins August 2006 Policy complete September 2006 Policy approved October 2006 Procedure for usage of the room created
- 10. Existing set of connected rooms ◦ Small room for children’s play area ◦ Large room for adult study and research Used similar paint scheme Added library-themed artwork and displays
- 11. Children’s area ◦ Toddler size table and chairs, bean bags and bookcases ◦ Books, checkers, building blocks, stuffed-animals, TV/VCR and more Adult area ◦ Cozy couch and three study loungers ◦ Two tables, computer carrels, whiteboards ◦ Call-down telephone
- 12. Two fire exits Alarmed exit in children’s area Restricted access Periodic room checks
- 13. Valid University Identification Sign-in at Circulation Use code to access room Tidy up before you leave Sign-out at Circulation
- 14. One week ◦ Not signed in ◦ Forgot to sign out ◦ Letting in an unauthorized user (second offense) One semester ◦ Child left unattended (first offense) ◦ Using the family while banned for the week ◦ Letting in an unauthorized user (third offense)
- 15. Child is left unattended (second offense) Using the family while banned for the semester Abuse to others Multiple violations
- 16. Used 467 times by 1313 occupants ◦ 12/2006 – 12/2007 167 times by 496 occupants ◦ 1/2008 – 12/2008 211 times by 583 occupants ◦ 1/2009 – 5/2009 89 times by 234 occupants Only four bans and two emails sent ◦ Repeated failure to sign out ◦ Child left unattended ◦ Family room left in disarray
- 17. Soft launch Advertising ◦Pipeline posting ◦Instruction classes ◦Bulletin boards ◦Flyers ALERTS Open house
- 18. Flyers & E-mail Library Staff & ALERTS Distributed guidelines 30 visitors
- 19. Shoestring budget ◦ Biggest initial expense was for personnel time for Making policies Making procedures Devising safety guidelines
- 20. Physical Plant – painting & electrical upgrades ITS – re-establishing network connections Library – three computers
- 21. Enter Text Actual Costs • Programmable keycode lock: $412 • Alarmed exit & deadbolt: $70 (for children’s room) • Furniture: $8,319 • 3 Bean bag chairs: $207 • Bulletin board kits: $30 • 2 Diaper changing stations: $520 (for men’s and women’s rooms)
- 22. Value for students with children: Priceless!
Editor's Notes
- #3: If you’ve ever looked up to see a student coming into the library with a toddler in a stroller and thought, “Oh, no,” then we may have something useful for you to consider.Much of what we consider to be typical academic library service is built upon the notion that all our students are 18-to-20-year-olds. Reality, however, tells us that we have more and more nontraditional students. It is not an unreasonable assumption that some of them have children of their own. Infants and toddlers are not always welcome additions to the academic setting. They cry, they run around, they talk loudly in high-pitched voices – in short, they just don’t behave according to library protocols. However, every parent of young children knows that there are times that, no matter how pressing your need, you can’t find someone else to care for them, and you just have to take them with you.That doesn’t have to mean that the parents can’t come to the library to work when this occurs.