?Family kits??children?s back- packs filled with age-appropriate activities?are available for checkout at University of Maryland Libraries. the removal of blinds on interior windows. However, other reno- vation projects elsewhere in the library edged us out for funding. In 2018, we proposed the project again, this time with a multilevel service model. In addition to the development of a family study space, we also suggested creating ?family kits??children?s back- packs filled with age-appropriate activities and made available for checkout. These kits would be affordable for us to assemble, easily integrated into current services, Helping Parents in a Pinch and functional with or without a family study room. We were delighted when the An academic library becomes more family friendly UMD Student Facilities Fund financed the entire project, includ- ing the development of the family Children are present in many types of libraries?not just the public variety. The study space and family kits, as expense and difficulties of arranging childcare means that even academic library well as the creation of a separate patrons often need to bring young ones along when studying or browsing the reflection space for meditation and stacks. Now, through the creation of a family study space and other amenities, University prayer, at $10,340. That funding of Maryland Libraries has made it easier for parents, caregivers, and children to visit. also covered the relocation of the existing lactation room to the same floor as the family study space for BY Rachel T he University of Maryland?s Once obtained, that care can easily the convenience of caregivers; in Gammons (UMD) diverse campus cost $2,000 per month, per child, addition, changing tables were and Kelsey community includes parents with very few part-time options. installed in all restrooms on that Corlett-Rivera and others who provide care to These barriers mean that students floor, as well as in a gender-neutral children. It?s not just faculty and are increasingly studying along- restroom on another floor. staff who have kids to look after; side their children in community Family kits are a creative, afford- many of our students do too. In spaces?such as UMD Libraries. able way for academic libraries 2018, 12% of our graduate students While you may not consider to support caregivers and their reported having children under?10, academic libraries child friendly, families. Our kits?targeted at while in 2019, 1.7% of our under- creating a welcoming space for age groups newborn?4, 4?8, and graduates indicated that they were families is easier and more cost- 8?12?feature developmentally parents or primary caregivers. That effective than you might think. appropriate materials such as number is much higher for our That said, it took us more than one books, crayons, puzzles, small toys, undergraduates who are military attempt. In 2016, we proposed the coloring books, and games. The kits veterans: 24%. creation of a family study room?a are available for checkout at our Here in the Washington, D.C., private room with two computer tech desk, which manages the loan metro area, finding childcare often workstations and desks, plus child- of other nontraditional items such means navigating waitlists that sized furniture, children?s books, as laptops, chargers, yoga balls, are months?or even years?long. toys, and safety measures such as whiteboards, and hammocks. Each 18 March/April 2020?|?americanlibraries.org Photo: University of Maryland kit can be checked out for up to four hours and is marked with a luggage Students are tag featuring a barcode and item- increasingly ized list of contents. The patterns on the backpacks correspond to the studying alongside age groups: the youngest features Join American Libraries dinosaurs, 4?8 zoo animals, and their children in Senior Editor Phil Morehart 8?12 rockets, which help staff community spaces. as he hosts conversations quickly identify the appropriate kit with librarians, authors, for each child. thinkers, and scholars about While we were fortunate to have the resources to create a family topics from the study room, the kits mean that Child Studies Consortium donated library world families can make use of the entire a portable play yard, diapers, and beyond. library. For example, parents may and baby wipes. Every item an Listen to need to use specialized equipment, external group donates is marked these recent such as book scanners or 3D print- with a sticker to acknowledge the episodes: ers, that is available only in certain group?s support. areas or attend meetings in group The family study room and study rooms. For libraries without family kits launched in fall 2019, EPISODE 45 the financial resources or space to and initial response has been Year-End create a dedicated family room, the positive. One graduate student, Conversations family kits offer an alternative way spotted trying to study in a general to support patrons with children. area with her two small children, EPISODE 44 For us, the family inclusion effort was visibly relieved when told Advocacy: also presented an opportunity to about the family study room (to Anyone Can Do It partner with internal stakeholders. which she and the kids immediately For instance, while developing the relocated). So far, the family study proposal for the family study room, room?which can be reserved for EPISODE 43 we involved access services staff two hours, with immediate renewal It?s a members, who would be the ones if no other patrons are waiting?has Mystery! responsible for enforcing policies been booked about 150 times, and and checking out the kits; public dozens of families have emailed services librarians with small grateful messages. EPISODE 42 children, who were able to provide If you see someone studying in Libraries of All input on the kits? contents; and the library with children, there is Shapes and Sizes outreach and communications staff, generally a reason. Whether it is who helped develop promotional a childcare issue, finances, or a EPISODE 41 campaigns and create signage. partner who is ill, that patron is Beyond Our Staff and system resources were often facing some challenge. In that Borders necessary to enter the kits into moment, the last thing you want is our ILS so they were available for for the library to present another lending. We ensured that lending barrier. Having a family study EPISODE 40 policies matched policies for equip- room, family kits, or both demon- 50 Years of the ment loan and included standard strates compassion for the lived Coretta Scott King replacement values to reduce the experiences of users and, hopefully, Book Awards burden on frontline staff. makes their day a little easier. We also recruited partners out- RACHEL GAMMONS is head of teach- side the library. The UMD iSchool?s ing and learning services and KELSEY Listen at iDiversity student group gathered CORLETT-RIVERA is head of research and donated most of the materials commons at University of Maryland bit.ly/deweydecibel in the kits. The UMD Infant and Libraries. americanlibraries.org?|?March/April 2020 19