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Designing for Reality: Building a Space in Academic Libraries for Caregivers

Meghan Kowalski

Outreach and Reference Librarian

The University of the District of Columbia

meghan.kowalski@udc.edu

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The Need

  • UDC Students
    • HBCU
    • Commuter Campus
    • Non-traditional Population
  • Challenges
    • Inadequate childcare options on campus
    • Students bringing kids to class and the library
    • Finding workable space for online classes

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Why build this space?

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How We Built It

  • Ongoing Remodel
  • Early Considerations
    • Location?
    • Who?
  • Picking the Space
    • Large
    • Windows
    • Enclosed
    • Bathrooms

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Furnishing & Supplies

  • Remodel Budget
    • Making use of what was already ordered
    • Kid-sized options
    • Adult work stations
  • Kid “Stuff”
    • Library parents
    • Free crayons
    • DCPL - Imagination Library

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Policies

  • Open and accessible as possible

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  • Anyone can use the space

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  • Kids get dibs

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  • An adult MUST be present

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  • The library does NOT provide childcare

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Early Response

  • Used IMMEDIATELY

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  • Shocked it’s there

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  • Repeat customers

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  • Faculty use

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  • Students without kids like it

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  • Positive feedback

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Tips

  • Start small

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  • Be clear and flexible

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  • Expect the space to evolve

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  • Talk to caregivers

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Lessons Learned

  • Storytime?
  • Visibility matters
  • Little touches matter
  • You will need to clean
  • No puzzles
  • What will caregivers bring?
  • BONUS! Good selling point

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Next Steps

  • Collaborative events
  • Fixing the door
  • Add printer
  • Pack and play
  • Changing table
  • Art and window clings

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THANK

YOU

Questions?

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Meghan Kowalski

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meghankowalski.com

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meghan.kowalski@outlook.com

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