» “A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them.” - LEMONY SNICKET

Issue 64 // July 15, 2019 Playtime at Robarts Library » Opening a family-friendly study space at the University of

BY JESSE CARLINER AND KYLA EVERALL cater to so-called nontraditional students to provide family-friendly library study spaces. f academic libraries are sincere about Information about the number of students Itheir commitment to equity and inclu- in who are parents is not col- sion, they must become more accessible for lected systematically, creating an invisible student parents—a large and underserved population. However, in the 2016 Canadian population whose members may also have Graduate and Professional Student Survey, other marginalized identities. Although 49.3% of respondents reported that family accommodating children may seem to be obligations were an obstacle to success, outside the scope of academic libraries’ with 14.3% reporting that they were a ma- WEATHERING THE TWITTER STORM mandate, if we are to fully support research jor obstacle.2 Early Uses of Social Media as a and learning on campus, we must try to According to Statistics Canada, Cana- Disaster Response Tool for Public Libraries reduce obstacles for parenting students dian women spend on average 50.1 hours During Hurricane Sandy however we can, including welcoming their per week on unpaid childcare, compared to children into our libraries. To address this 24.4 hours for men.3 Given that the burden “I DIDN’T REALIZE THAT I NEEDED need, the Libraries of childcare primarily falls to women, lack BOOKS THAT OFTEN” recently opened Canada’s first academic of academic library support for parenting Demonstrating Library Value library family-friendly study space. students disproportionately impacts women during the Temporary Closure of an and has a negative effect on equitable access Academic Branch Library PARENTING STUDENTS IN THE UNITED to library resources and services, as well as STATES AND CANADA overall learning and research opportunities. PERSPECTIVES ON YOUTH DATA In the United States, 4.8 million under- At the University of Toronto, parenting LITERACY AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY graduate students are raising children,1 and students expressed that they have had to Teen Services Staff Speak Out there is a trend among U.S. institutions that choose their classes based on their child- secured study spaces available for parenting they were not welcome. When students did students. Such rooms are more commonly bring their children to the library, this would found in smaller American universities and occasionally create conflict with other users colleges, as well as European academic li- over noise issues. braries. In the 2016 the University of Toronto Li- In particular, there is a noticeable gap braries LibQUAL+ survey, the library received among the libraries at top-ranked research- a comment from a doctoral student requesting intensive universities. A review of the websites that the library provide a designated study of the top 25 ARL libraries found only one space for students with children, citing many mention of family-friendly space.7 such spaces that they had seen in European universities. The University of Toronto context According to The University of Toronto’s The University of Toronto is a public re- Family Care Office, although the majority of search-inten- graduate stu- sive univer- dentsa caregiver at at theall times. Although children were allowed in the library, the lack of a sity spread Universitypublicly posted ofpolicy may have created the over three Torontoimpression that are they were not welcome. When students did10 bring their children to campuses in women,the library, this would occasionally create and around thereconflict withwere other users over noise issues. In the 2016 the University of Toronto Toronto, On- previouslyLibraries LibQUAL+ no survey, the library tario, Can- academicreceived a comment ser- from a doctoral stu- ada. From vicesdent requesting or spac that- the library provide a designated study space for students with 2017 to 2018, eschildren, for parents citing many such spaces that they the universi- whohad seen inmay European universities. According to The University of Toronto’s ty had a total haveFamily Care need Office,- although the majority of enrolment of edgraduate to studentsbring at the University of To- ronto are women,10 there were previously no 90,077 stu- theiracademic children services or spaces for parents who dents.8 The tomay havecampus. needed to bring their children to campus. Therefore, the University of Toronto University Therefore,Libraries decided to address this need by of Toronto A selection of tweets responding to the opening of the Robarts Library Family Study Space. thedeveloping Universi a family-friendly- study space in A selection of tweets responding to the opening of the Robarts Robarts Library. Libraries sys- ty of Toronto Librarycare schedules Family and the Study type of Space. course work sites of the top 25 ARL libraries found only tem is the involved. Group projects, for example, pose one mention of family-friendly space.7 LibrariesPROPOSING THEde SPACE- largest academica challenge, library because in Canadathey may require and stu is- cided to address this need by developingIn our large and complexa library system, a dents to arrange additional childcare. Access- THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO CONTEXT family-friendly study space did not fit neatly ranked sixth amonging services peer that institutions are only available in inNorth person, Thefamily-friendly University of Toronto study is a public space in Robartswithin anyLibrary. one department’s responsi- America.9 The systemsuch as consultations consists withof 44 a librarian, libraries, can research-intensive university spread over bilities or expertise. Developing the space also be difficult to arrange, due to the chal- three campuses in and around Toronto, would require cross-departmental col- with around 500lenges librarians and expense andof finding paraprofes childcare. - ,Proposing Canada. From the 2017 space to 2018, the laboration for successful completion and sional staff members. universityIn our had large a total andenrolment complex of 90,077 library operation. system, The project a team comprised WHAT ARE LIBRARIES DOING? students.8 The University of Toronto Librar- of staff from the library’s public services Prior to theThere development are few services toof support the Family parenting iesfamily-friendly system is the largest studyacademic space library did departments,not fit neatly library facilities, and the uni- Study Space, thestudents John in P. academic Robarts libraries. Library, In Canada, the in withinCanada and any is ranked one sixthdepartment’s among peer responsibilitiesversity’s Family Care Office. In order address some universities have activity packs or institutions in North America.9 The sys- the administrative challenges to developing largest on campuschild-friendly and resourcesthe primary that children social can temor consists expertise. of 44 libraries, Developing with around the spacethe space, would the project team proposed the sciences and humanitiesuse while their library, parents study. had4,5 aOne policy has a 500require librarians cross-departmental and paraprofessional staff collaborationproject directly for to the chief librarian who corner in its basement where parents can members. had set aside money from the operating allowing childrenbring 12 their and children, under6 but to there accompany are no dedi- successfulPrior to the development completion of the Familyand operation.budget to fund The innovative ideas that did their parents tocated, the closedsecured study stacks. spaces The available policy, for Studyproject Space, theteam John comprised P. Robarts Library, of the staff not from fit withinthe theli- library’s organizational or however, was parentingnot posted students. publiclySuch rooms arein more the largestbrary’s on campus public and theservices primary socialdepartments, budgetary library structures. commonly found in smaller American uni- sciences and humanities library, had a policy In order to secure approval, the team building or on theversities website. and colleges, Under as well this as European policy, allowingfacilities, children and 12 and the under university’s to accom- neededFamily to addressCare concerns about liability children had to academicbe accompanied libraries. by a caregiver panyOffice. their parents In toorder the closed address stacks. The the andadministrative risk management regarding children in In particular, there is a noticeable gap policy, however, was not posted publicly in the library. The team reached out to the Uni- at all times. Althoughamong the children libraries at top-rankedwere allowed research- thechallenges building or on tothe developingwebsite. Under thisthe space,versity the of Toronto proj -Family Care Office to ask in the library, theintensive lack universities. of a publicly A review of posted the web- policy,ect childrenteam hadproposed to be accompanied the projectby them directly to serve into an advisory capacity on the policy may have created the impression that the chief librarian who had set aside money

February 2019 101 C&RL News

<2> Strategic Library™ ©2019 from the operating budget to fund innovative intended user population, the space was ideas that did not fit within the library’s orga- developed in an enclosed room accessible nizational or budgetary structures. only by key fob. Renovations to the room In order to secure approval, the team also included painting, upgraded tamper needed to address concerns about liability and resistant electrical outlets, low emission risk management regarding children in the li- carpet, and improvements to the room’s brary. The team reached out to the University ventilation system. As part of the project, of Toronto Family Care Office to ask them to nearby nursing facilities were upgraded. serve in an advisory capacity on the project To make the room comfortable and and to address concerns about risk manage- enjoyable for children, we provided ment and liability. The Family Care Office child-sized furniture, toys, and a mat and assured the foam ring for project and to address concerns about risk management and liability.library The Family Carethat infants and Office assured the library therethat there werewere toddlers. We no additional liabilities or risk to having children in the library. As inno any additional public space, also stocked caregivers are responsibleliabilities for the safety or the room and behavior of their children at all times. The chief librarian also consultedrisk to with having the with a “take- university administration,children who were very in a-book, enthusiastic in their support. the library. As leave-a- CREATING THE SPACE in any public book” library In designing the space, the team envisioned a room that would work forspace, as many userscare - of children’s and their children as possible-givers from aresmall re - books. We children, to older children, to users working alone or on group projects.sponsible Additionally, thefor chose this room would ideally have thethe same safety features and model in or- and technology that our other group study rooms and study spaces had.behavior of der to avoid With these considerationstheir in mind,children the the compli- room was furnished with atpresentation all times. cations of facilities, white boards, comfortable seat- University of Toronto Family Study Space Robarts Library. Francesca Kennedy/University of Toronto Libraries. ing, and workstations. TheThe space waschief also li- University of Toronto Family Study Space Robarts Library. Francesca creating a soundproofed to avoid noisebrarian complaints also Kennedy/Universitypolicies so that the space ofcould Toronto be self-mon Libraries.- policy emphasized that children were not to special loca- from other users. To ensure the safety itored, flexible, and operated in accordance be left unattended in the room or anywhere of children and reserve theconsulted space for the with withthe existinguniversity library andadministration, university policies. in tionthe library, in andthe that catalog caregivers that are solely is only accessible intended user population,who the space were was veryIn enthusiastic the process of establishing in their thesupport. policies, responsibleto users for theirof the children. Family Study Space. developed in an enclosed room accessible we consulted with other libraries with Since the room is unstaffed and self- only by key fob. Renovations to the room similar spaces to learn from their experi- monitored, signage was posted to com- also included painting, upgradedCreating tamper theences. space We discovered that there were a wide municateManaging room use policies, the space including how resistant electrical outlets, low emission variety of models for access and use. Some to report maintenance issues and deal with carpet, and improvementsIn to thedesigning room’s librariesthe space, required thatthe their team family roomenvi be- emergencies.We developed Cleaning wipes the are Family available Study Space us- ventilation system. As partsioned of the project, a roomreserved that in advance,would while work others forwere first-as in agethe room policies to encourage so users that to cleanthe up space could be nearby nursing facilities were upgraded. come, first-served. We also found that there small spills on tables and desks. To make the room comfortablemany andusers en- andwere sometheir rooms children that were child-friendly,as pos- self-monitored,Registration and fob access flexible, is managed and operated in joyable for children, we providedsible- child-sized from smallbut not children, reserved for theto exclusive older use chil of - byaccordance the department responsible with existing for the library and uni- furniture, toys, and a mat and foam ring for parenting students. graduate student carrels in the library. The infants and toddlers. We alsodren, stocked to the users workingThe library alonedecided thator theon room group would carrelversity office processespolicies. the registrationIn the processap- of estab- room with a “take-a-book,projects. leave-a-book” Additionally,be for the sole-use the of theroom University would of plications,lishing confirms the eligibilitypolicies, status we and disconsulted- with library of children’s books. We chose this Toronto affiliated caregivers (students, staff, tributes the fobs. Users can register online model in order to avoid theideally complications have theand faculty)same with features children 12 and and under,tech - at otherany time libraries of the year. with similar spaces to learn of creating a special locationnology in the catalog that ourwho other would begroup required studyto register rooms for an fromWe will conducttheir bothexperiences. formal and infor - We discovered that is only accessible to usersand of study the Family spaces access had. fob. The room would be available for malthat assessment there of thewere space a to makewide ser -variety of mod- Study Space. use on a first-come, first-served basis at any vice improvements and evaluate the success With these timeconsiderations that the library was in open. mind, In order the to of elsthe room.for Startingaccess in theand next use. academic Some libraries re- MANAGING THE SPACE room was furnishedavoid creating with additional presentation barriers to access, year,quired we will offerthat research their consultations family room be reserved We developed the Family Study Space usage reservations are not required. The room with librarians in the space, in response to facilities, white boards, comfortable seat- in advance, while others were first-come, ing, and workstations. The space was also first-served. We also found that there were soundproofed to avoid noise complaints some rooms that were child-friendly, but from other users. To ensure the safety not reserved for the exclusive use of par- of children and reserve the space for the enting students.

C&RL News February 2019 102

Strategic Library™ ©2019 <3> » According to the University of Toronto’s Family Care Office, student parents usually face three main obstacles while pursuing their post-secondary education: childcare, financial issues, and time management. Family-friendly study spaces in academic libraries address all three of these concerns for parenting students, while also supporting the research, teaching, and learning missions of higher education institutions.

feedback that consultations can be difficult CONCLUSION 2017), 1, https://iwpr.org/wp-content/up- to schedule for parenting students. According to the University of Toronto’s loads/2017/02/C451-5.pdf. 2. Canadian Graduate and Professional Family Care Office, student parents usually Student Survey–2016: Summary Report, PROMOTING THE SPACE face three main obstacles while pursuing All Respondents (Canadian Associations for The library opened the space with a recep- their post-secondary education: childcare, Graduate Students, 2016), 11, www.cags. tion, and promoted it on social media as financial issues, and time management. ca/documents/cgpss/2016/NATIONAL_CG- well as through print marketing materials Family-friendly study spaces in academic PSS_2016_REPORT_ALL.pdf. 3. Statistics Canada, “Time spent on unpaid at the library and around the university. libraries address all three of these concerns care of a child in the household, by working The central message was that the library for parenting students, while also support- arrangement and age of youngest child, welcomes the children of our academic ing the research, teaching, and learning mis- Canada, 2010,” table 6 in Women in Canada: community members. This message and sions of higher education institutions. A Gender-Based Statistical Report, Statistics the news that there was a space designed The library received a comment from a Canada Catalogue no. 89-503-X (Jul. 2011), https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89- especially for children and their caregivers user who called the Family Study Space, a 503-x/2010001/article/11546/tbl/tbl006- resonated across the university, Canada, and “very important and much needed space eng.htm. internationally. as child care is so scarce and expensive. I 4. Sonya, “Introducing the RULA Busy Box!,” The announcement generated a great can bring my kid and get some work done.” Library and Archives, ac- deal of discussion, positive feedback, Family-friendly study spaces unequivo- cessed July 6, 2018, https://library.ryerson. ca/ blog/2018/03/introducing-the-rula- and engagement on social media and cally communicate the message that you busy-box/. in university and local news outlets. The can be a student and a parent. Welcoming 5. “PGSS Family Collection,” McGill Library, response indicated considerable interest the whole student to the library and the accessed July 6, 2018, https://www. mcgill. and demand for family-friendly services at university increases inclusion. Creating ca/library/channels/news/pgss-family- academic libraries and within higher edu- family-friendly spaces helps libraries further collection-230976. 6. “Library Supports and Reference Assistance,” cation. Many former students, both from their mission to provide equitable access to University of Alberta, accessed July 6, 2018. the University of Toronto and elsewhere, information for their communities. n 7. “Family Friendly Spaces Campus Guidelines,” commented via social media about how University of Washington Both- ell, accessed a family-friendly study space would have Copyright © 2019 Jesse Carliner and Kyla July 6, 2018, www.uwb.edu/administration- made a significant difference for them Everall. Article originally appeared in College planning/auxiliary-services/family-friendly- space. while they were in school. Current students & Research Libraries News, Vol. 80, No. 2. 8. “Quick Facts,” University of Toronto, accessed from other universities engaged with their https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/ July 6, 2018, https://www.utoronto. ca/ school social media channels to ask for a article/view/17586/19400 about-u-of-t/quick-facts. similar space. The creation of the Robarts 9. https://www.arlstatistics.org/analytics. Library Family Study Space also started ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Jesse Carliner is 10. University of Toronto, Facts and Figures 2017 (Toronto: University of Toronto, n.d.): a dialogue within the Canadian library communications and user services librarian, 35. https://www.utoronto.ca/sites/default/ and higher education communities about email: [email protected], and Kyla files/Facts%20%26%20Figures%202017%20 students with children and what can be Everall is user services librarian, email: kyla. online%20version.pdf. done to support them. More than 100 reg- everall@ utoronto.ca, at the University of istrations have been received so far for the Toronto Libraries. end of the spring and start of the summer academic terms, and even more registra- Notes tions are anticipated with the start of the 1. Elizabeth Noll, Lindsey Reichlin, Barbara next academic year. Gault, College Students with Children: Na- tional and Regional Profiles (Washington, D.C.: Institute for Women’s Policy Research,

<4> Strategic Library™ ©2019