Family-Friendly Study Space Honors Student Parents

September is national Student Parent Month. In honor of our parenting students, the University Library officially opened their Children’s Collection in the Family Friendly Study Area. A “no-shushing” study space, the collection welcomes students and their children for reading, learning, and play. It holds an eclectic choice of children's books, a small collection of toys, and two computers preloaded with enticing games. The area aims to meet the study needs of parenting students by providing a unique space that allows them to complete assignments and coursework while keeping their children entertained. 

"We provide a space where our parenting students can bring their children to the library and study. There are toys, small chairs, and tables provided,” says CSULB librarian, Cathy Outten, “There are also diaper changing tables in all bathrooms, as well as a lactation room on the lower level. Our hope is to make our parenting students feel comfortable and welcomed in the library." 

The space exhibits CSULB's immense support for our non-traditional students. It also embraces the balance between academic rigor and parenthood. More importantly, it follows the library’s mission to infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice into its collections and programming.  

The Family Friendly Study Area is open during the library’s normal operational hours. For the library’s hours, visit their calendar.  

For more campus resources, visit the Division of Student Affairs’ Pregnant and Parenting Students page.  

For faculty interested in learning how to assist our pregnant and parenting students, please visit the Faculty Center’s resource page.