UCM Opens New Family Study Room at James C. Kirkpatrick Library

Josiah Nyangau, Ph.D., assistant vice provost of Assessment and Planning, and his children visit the new
family study room at the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.

 

University of Central Missouri (UCM) student parents now have a dedicated study room at the heart of campus that supports academic success while providing a child-friendly space for their families.

Thanks to a grant from UCM's Academic Affairs Strategic Opportunity Initiative, the James C. Kirkpatrick Library (JCKL) has added a new service for parenting and caretaking students, faculty and staff: the Family Study Room, located on the second floor of the library, Room 2439. The space is designed to provide a distraction-free environment for studying while offering children enriching activities. 

Students, faculty, staff and community members visited the new study room during a grand opening reception Wednesday evening, Oct. 1. Many guests brought their children, who were the first to enjoy the toys and explore the family-friendly space.

The project was spearheaded by Assistant Dean of Library Services Maya Kucij and College of Education Subject Librarian Sara Evans, who both understand firsthand the challenges of pursuing higher education while raising young children. 

 

“I was still breastfeeding my daughter when I started graduate school,” Kucij shared. “It was really hard to balance the demands of school with having two kids under age 4. I often felt isolated from peers who didn’t have any kids.” 

Inspired by “Supporting student parents in the academic library” (Keyes and Dworak, 2024), Kucij and Evans envisioned transforming a standard study room into a supportive, family-friendly space. They regularly saw students arrive at the library with children in tow, often struggling to keep kids entertained without disturbing others or sacrificing their own focus. 

To ensure the design met real needs, Evans formed a Student Parent Advisory Board. Board member Christopher Todd brought his son, Declan, to a planning session to help identify common concerns. 

 

“We modeled the room after a daycare in many ways,” Evans explained. “There are safe, engaging toys set up in activity centers to stimulate children’s interest while still allowing parents to keep an eye on them and concentrate on academic work.”

The Family Study Room is equipped with two networked computer workstations, a scanner, a whiteboard and a projector. Plenty of engaging activities are provided for children, including a play kitchen, interactive toys, books, a table and chairs and other materials. Additional supports like a rocking chair, baby swing, and child step stools and changing tables in nearby restrooms are also provided. 

UCM students, faculty and staff who are accompanied by children can reserve the Family Study Room for up to four hours per day. A key can be checked out from the first-floor Information Desk. To learn how to book the study room and review the booking procedures, visit the Student Parent Resources page.

Campus community members may already be familiar with the James C. Kirkpatrick Library’s vibrant children’s and young adult collection, located on the third floor of the library. The collection features educational and recreational reading materials for children from toddlers to high schoolers. 

 

“At James C. Kirkpatrick Library, we consistently evaluate our library spaces to ensure they are meeting the needs of the UCM community,” said Janette Klein, Ph.D., dean of Library Services. “With a growing number of nontraditional and student parents on campus, we felt it was essential to create a dedicated study space designed specifically to support them.”

Many student parents do not have access to consistent childcare. The new family study room offers a welcoming space for student parents, allowing them to focus on their studies while balancing their academic responsibilities and caring for their children nearby, without worrying about disrupting others.

 

“At JCKL, we recognize that our students are balancing academics alongside family, work and community responsibilities,” Klein said. “The JCKL Family Study Room reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the resources, support and spaces students need to succeed academically, while also ensuring they feel supported and can thrive as part of the UCM community.” 

For more information, contact Evans at saraevans@ucmo.edu or 660-843-8502.