While academic libraries were originally designed to serve "traditional" university students, we know that demographics are changing. In the past decade, the student demographic has been trending towards “non-traditional” students who may have a full-time job, be married, or have children. The term student-parents refers to students who are pursuing their degrees while also parenting school-aged children. If this sounds like you, you're in the right place! We know that being a student-parent comes with its own unique challenges and we are developing services just for you.
Academic Libraries are often stereotyped as quiet spaces with a lack of entertainment, which can often discourage parents with playful children from visiting. While being a student-parent comes with its own unique challenges, accessing the library and receiving research support should not be one of them. UNT Libraries welcomes students and their families! Please read about some of the services we offer for student-parents below.
We know that entertaining kids while on campus can be a struggle. To help with this we are offering a variety of Kids Activity Kits available for checkout at the Library Services Desk on the first floor of Willis Library. We currently offer four different kits suited for different age ranges and interests. Each kit has its own theme and contains at least one book along with age-appropriate toys, activities, or games. Just bring your student ID and ask for a Kids Activity Kit at the Willis Library Service Desk to receive a Kit for 6 hours.
While our main location, Willis Library, does have some traditional library quiet space, many of our spaces are designed for active group study which is a great place to study when you have active kids coming along.
Click here to see a breakdown of our spaces and their noise levels.
Need a child-friendly library space to ask questions, get research assistance, or just study? Attend our Family Study Hours throughout the semester. Each event has coloring pages, snacks, and Kids Activity Kits available for checkout with a UNT ID card.
*This event is on pause for the Fall 2023 semester. If you would like to help us start up these events again, please fill out the Supporting Student Parents Survey*
Need help? Then use the library's Ask Us service. Get help from real people face-to-face, by phone, or by email.
