Study Space for Students

with Young Children Camilla Baker and Michelle DeLoach

Reese LibraryAugusta State University

Presented at

Inspiration, Innovation, Celebration: an Entrepreneurial Conference for LibrariansUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro

June 3, 2009

Background

“Meeting Students Where They Stand”

Reese Library Student Retention and Success Committee

An Idea is Born

Student security worker: Jamie Bassett

All-Library meeting

Library unit plan strategy

TimelineJanuary – May 2006

January 2006 Idea from Jamie

February 1, 2006 Discussion at All- Library meeting

Timeline

March 1, 2006 Discussion and decisions made and proposal written

March 29, 2006 Approved by ASU and allowed by USG

Timeline

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

June 2006 Research on policies begins

August 2006 Policy completeSeptember 2006 Policy approvedOctober 2006 Procedure for usage of the room created

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

Design

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

Furnishings

Two fire exits Alarmed exit in children’s area Restricted access Periodic room checks

Will children be safe?

Valid University Identification Sign-in at Circulation Use code to access room Tidy up before you leave Sign-out at Circulation

Using the Family Room

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)

Temporary Ban

Child is left unattended (second offense)

Using the family while banned for the semester

Abuse to others

Multiple violations

Permanent Ban

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

What do the numbers say?

Soft launchAdvertising◦Pipeline posting◦Instruction classes◦Bulletin boards◦Flyers

ALERTSOpen house

Marketing the Family Room

Flyers & E-mailLibrary Staff & ALERTSDistributed guidelines30 visitors

Open House, Sept. 18

Shoestring budget

◦Biggest initial expense was for personnel time for Making policies Making procedures Devising safety guidelines

You Can Do It, Too!

Get Your Administration On Board

Physical Plant – painting & electrical upgrades

ITS – re-establishing network connections Library – three computers

Enter TextActual Costs

• Programmable keycodelock: $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)

Value for students with children:

Priceless!

Total Cost to Library: $9,558