Abstract
While children's services are traditionally associated with public libraries, the increase in students with dependent children means that academic libraries are increasingly being called to provide family-friendly spaces. Using the University of Maryland Libraries as a case study, the authors detail the process of developing, implementing, and overseeing family-friendly services, including a family study room and activity kits for children. They argue there is value in welcoming families into the academy and projects, such as a family study room, worthy not only for the contributions they make to the community but also for the opportunity to enact joy in our daily practice as academic librarians.
TopPositionality Statements
We would like to begin this conversation by sharing our positionality to the work; which is the idea that a person’s position, or relationship, with a topic or a community, is impacted by their social identities, values, and experiences. As professionals, we bring a positionality to our work, and as partners, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends, we bring it to our lives. Our positionalities are why we care, why we strive, and why sometimes, we will fail; because as much as our experiences empower us, we are also limited by our perspectives. A positionality statement is a recognition of the inter-dependability of these two things and acknowledgment of the relationality inherent within our personal and professional identities.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Positionality: The idea that a person’s position, or relationship, with a topic or a community is impacted by their social identities, values, and experiences.
Caregiver: Person who regularly provides full or partial care of a dependent.
Family Kit: Children’s backpack filled with books and toys that could be checked out and used anywhere in the library.
Joy: Positive affect with the potential to transform, revive, and rejuvenate.
Family Study Room: Group study room reserved for use by caregivers and children.
Lactation Room: Dedicated space where a mother can nurse or pump breast milk.