Libraries and Student Success

Libraries play an integral role in student success. From offering a quiet study environment to accessing databases, research and librarian assistance. “Higher education data show that student parents make up 15 percent of the student body at four-year public and private institutions of higher education and 26 percent of the student body at all higher education institutions.”¹  Whether these students are young parents or older parents who have gone back to school, they need all the help they can get to graduate.  Student-parents face obstacles traditional students do not, including finding childcare, increased debt and poverty.¹  Many student parents are unaware of the resources their schools may provide to help them succeed.  Some colleges offer onsite childcare but is not promoted and many parents miss out on this resource.

“Creating spaces that are more welcoming to families is an effective way to do this and allows student parents an opportunity to spend time with their children while still completing their coursework.”¹ Some college libraries have begun creating spaces for student parents that welcome their children. I know if Palomar Library had a space for me to comfortably bring my daughter with me, I would have been more able to participate in the meeting my blog mates held. It would have been a lovely opportunity to meet and collaborate with them. Creating these spaces provides a feeling of understanding for student parents who can sometimes feel alienated from their peers. Students who feel like their needs are being met are more likely to continue their education.

Family study room at BYU

Work Cited

Godfrey, Ian, et al. "Supporting Student Retention and Success: Including Family Areas in an Academic Library." portal: Libraries and the Academy, vol. 17 no. 2, 2017, p. 375-388. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/pla.2017.0023.