Supporting All Patrons: Family Friendly Library Spaces

Patrons with children face unique challenges and barriers when it comes to utilizing library services and accessing one-on-one research help from librarians. They are often balancing school, work and their own children and have specific needs allowing for more productive work sessions at the library.

Research shows small offerings such as lactation spaces, child-friendly furniture and toys, stroller accessibility, and educational activities all help patrons feel welcome at the library (Scott & Varner, 2020); patrons need ways to keep their children occupied.

At Eastern Illinois University, Booth Library implemented a multi-space Family Hub to help meet the needs of their students, faculty, staff and community.

Join librarians Michele McDaniel and Amy Odwarka to learn how the library built this new service point from ideation to ribbon cutting and all points in between. This presentation will help all academic and public librarians visualize how they can create their own family friendly library spaces for all budget levels.

For more information, including speaker bios, visit the ILA event page.

All ILA Noon Network webinars are free. ILA personal members can access recordings of webinars in the Noon Network Archive 1-3 days after the live event. Registration for all live webinars is limited to Illinois libraries.

If you have an idea for a future webinar or would like to present please email ILA Communications and Engagement Manager Tamara Jenkins at tjenkins@ila.org.