Abstract
Research problem
Methodology
Results
Implications
Key words
Acknowledgements
Does the 'no-kids-in-the-library' tertiary library stance impact and affect the student single parent's ability to undertake their studies and engage in the student experience. How does the 'no-kids-in-the-library' policy affect single-parent student short-term study goals. How does the 'no-kids-in-the-library' policy affect single-parent student's desire to study.
The analysis process was used to determine the impacts and effects of the traditional 'no children in the library' policy on single students. I haven't been able to do much in the library [being a single parent of one and a half year old twins with limited childcare options]. If my children were welcome in the library, I would borrow short loans,] my last task I.
Research participants talked about the effect that the library's no-kids policy had on their ability to access the library's printing facilities. I have had difficulty completing an assessment due to not being able to bring my children to the library]. I am aware of library policy and know that I can only bring children for a short period of time].
My year would be different if I could bring the kids to the library], very different. The purpose of this research is to improve tertiary libraries' understanding of the impact and effects of no-kids-in-the-library policies on single parent students. Are you aware of the library's policy that children may accompany single parents for extended periods of time in the library?
Problem statement
- Rationale
- Research Aims
- Research question
- Sub-questions
- Key terms
The purpose of this paper is to understand student single parents' experiences of the library through a study of student single parents' experiences at Unitec Institute of Technology, Waitākere campus. By addressing the needs of student single parents in policy configuration and resource allocation, their ability to.
Literature Review
- Introduction
- Should tertiary institutions prioritise the childcare needs of non-traditional students?
- Why consider the needs of students who are sole-parents?
- What are the effects of the traditional library use policy, attitudes and resource allocations
- Library anxiety
- What measures have other colleges taken to meet the needs of students who are sole-parents?
- Quantitative data
Most single parent students are denied the full scope of their educational success due to childcare issues. Single parents who were not employed are the least likely to decide to study because of childcare problems (14.6 percent).
Methodology
- Introduction
- Research methodology
- Method
- Data collection
- Interviewing Form
- Sample Selection
- Ethical Considerations
- Role of Researcher
- Methods of Data Analysis
- Limitations
It was also chosen as a method that best enabled the researcher to establish the relationship and trust with the participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with student single parents selected by the researcher upon invitation. Face-to-face, in-depth interviewing of the participants allowed the researcher to engage in a
The feminist research approach recognizes the importance of the researcher as a data collection tool by identifying the unavoidable presence of the researcher at the data collection stage. The researcher listened to the interview recordings and read through the transcripts of the interviews as a first step in the data analysis process to get an overall picture of the participants' experiences. Coding the data is an important step in the research process, as it enables the researcher to 'cluster'.
By clustering the data around key messages or meanings, the researcher can uncover recurring and important issues. To overcome this limitation, the researcher has been honest and open about the role of researcher and library manager within the research and with the research participants.
Findings
- Impact on Academic Achievement
- I couldn’t be here so I asked someone to get books out for me
- I just can’t afford internet at home and I can’t come to the library
- I couldn't get my work done
- Printing is a huge thing
- Basically I haven’t been able to get any short term loans
- It was the library assistance that I needed the most
- I’m just trying to juggle and focus
- We knew we couldn’t bring kids in the library
- I was constantly thinking oh man what am I going to do tomorrow
- I knew we weren’t allowed to be in there
- I can’t study here anymore, it’s not convenient
- I need them to hang out in a safe place
- If I want to use the library I look for someone to help me but it is hard
- I let them down, it wasn’t their fault
- My year would have been different had I been able to bring the children to the library
- Its higher education, its higher quality and everyone is on their own really
- It’s isolating when your kids aren’t welcome here
- It is really important for student mums to be able to make a difference in her life
- I don’t want special treatment. I just want to be welcome
We needed books] quite often [during that time, so] we went to the library to get our books. Participants spoke of feeling rushed, but also of settling for less than ideal course resources because they were unable to use the library on their own time with their children. This participant was aware of library expertise but wanted to personally access librarian assistance at her place of study.
I have stress related to not being able to access the library because I have my children with me]. When I handed them in and got to the library at 12 [noon], I only had about 2 hours of library time. Whenever I've needed to use the library or be in the library but I've had my kids with me] you know sometimes I put my kids on the ground level.
I knew I wasn't allowed to take my kids to the library because the]. What made me ignore the library policy and instructions from the library manager was the need to do Power Points or something. Participants talked about the challenges they experienced in accessing and organizing childcare so that they could come and use the library.
My understanding is [regarding the library's policy statement about children only being in the library for a short time], I haven't seen the policy, but I know they can't be here.
Discussion
- Introduction
- Is the 'no-children-in-the-library' tertiary library stance impacting student-sole-parents ability to
- Is the 'no-children-in-the-library' tertiary library stance effecting student-sole-parents ability to
- Recommendations
- Further research
They didn't want special treatment, just a library service that the library also made fair for them. In this study, student single parents experienced a significant barrier to undertaking coursework and participating in group assessment work due to not having access to the library when they are with children. One of the students said: “Many times I walk past [the library] and see the opening and closing hours and wish [I could make better use of it].
The library is a managed place of expertise, and for some students, Librarians play a crucial role in helping them develop the information literacy skills they need to complete work. The library is the only student support service open during the weekend, so often takes on other student support service tasks if it is clear that they are urgent and important to individual students. The ongoing series of setbacks included difficulty using the library in ways that were feasible for the student and enabled them to access resources and services within a heavy study schedule and time-consuming parental responsibilities, and in a way that was so comfortable and convenient. easy for students without childcare responsibilities.
The study cannot tell us how many single-parent students, whether on campus, nationally, or internationally, are facing challenges stemming from the "no kids in the library" policy, nor can it tell us the full story. and collective. this is the general story, or the most common influences of single student parents whether on campus, nationally or internationally. This would enable tertiary libraries to have a better understanding of the single parent student study.
Conclusion
tertiary libraries to consider the needs of students' parents when planning or allocating library places; and. It would allow us to know the extent and therefore the urgency of the matter, as well as provide research that could be included in a metadata analysis that would allow us to know the sectoral extent of the problem. It is not within the scope of the study to investigate the health-related effects of the stress experienced by the students, therefore a comprehensive evaluation of the impact on the students' well-being and the subsequent effects this has on their desire to study is not investigated.
The library policy configuration and allocation of study space has a bias against student single parents and contributes to a negative library use and student experience for them. What the study discovered was that student single parents struggle to achieve positive study outcomes. The findings of this study contribute to the literature on student-only parents and academic libraries, as a means of understanding their library needs and what is necessary for them to have the same access to the library as traditional students .
Further research that can be undertaken to extend the findings of this study includes quantitative research to understand the scope of the issue so that tertiary libraries can better understand the needs of single parent students. Further research could also be used to examine the health impacts of stress on single parent students who are being affected by restrictive library policy and resource allocation.
This study asked whether a 'no kids in the library' environment (1) affects the ability of single parent students to participate in required coursework and (2) whether this policy configuration affects their academic goals. Since these students are mostly meeting the course requirements, it may seem like there is no need to transfer from the library, but the student's academic records do not demonstrate that these students are still struggling and the toll this issue is having on their personal health, well-being and finances. Career and parenting satisfaction among medical students, residents, and physician educators at a Canadian medical school.
Retrieved from http://www.gwhatchet.com john-mccormack-gw-fails-pregnant-and-sole-parenting-students/. A family-friendly study room for student single parents and their children at the Portland State University Library.
Appendixes
Appendix 1: Interview form
Tell me about a time when you had to complete a study-related assignment in the library, but you had children in your care. Did you experience any study-related consequences regarding the need to access the library and childcare issues? Have you ever considered withdrawing from a course because of childcare difficulties that you know could be solved if you were allowed to bring your child/children to the library with you.
Do you think or know that other students or staff are aware that you are a single parent. Do you think they have any opinions about you because you are a single parent. How has it affected your sense of belonging to Unitec and your right to use the library if you experience childcare problems in connection with library use.
Tell me about a time when you had to go to the library but had children with you. Have you ever avoided using the library because of your role as a single student?
Appendix 2: Participant Information Sheet
Appendix 3: Participant Consent Form
