Written by: Emma Ramos

Student-Parents – According to Urban Institute, the term ‘student-parent’ is defined as “someone who is enrolled in any level of education or training and is concurrently responsible for providing for a child of any age,” (Urban Institute, 2023). This includes being a biological parent, stepparent, unmarried co-parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, legal guardian, grandparent, extended family member, or sibling caregiver, (Urban Institute, 2023). Parenting students are a growing group in higher education, yet they still face many challenges, issues, discrimination, and lack of support in data collection, services, and spaces. UNT and UNT Libraries have been working to make campus and Willis Library more family-friendly for parenting and pregnant students. In the Spring 2024 semester, students were asked to self-identify as student-parents during registration. According to UNT Registration, there were 2,732 student-parents enrolled. 1,403 were undergraduate students and 1,329 were graduate level or higher students. The American Council on Education predicts that parenting students in colleges and universities are expected to rise as more adults are pursuing higher education, (2024). This past September, UNT Libraries celebrated National Student Parent Month with a physical book display on the first floor and a virtual display that highlighted resources from library collections for parents, children, and families. UNT Libraries understands that balancing classes and family life can be challenging. To nurture a more welcoming and inclusive library, Willis Library offers many resources for parenting students, families, and children. 

Student-Parent and Family Resources Library Guide – UNT Libraries has created a helpful guide on the UNT Libraries website that is solely dedicated to parenting and pregnant students. Library and campus resources can be found including family-friendly spaces, lactation rooms, restrooms, programs, services, collections, entertainment, dining, parking, and childcare, and other related information. The library guide is updated frequently to ensure parenting and pregnant students have access to correct information. More information is planned to be added, so keep an eye out! We strive to connect parenting and pregnant students to all resources and information to ensure each student feels valued, supported, and welcomed.  

Family-Friendly Spaces – Willis offers many family-friendly spaces for families to use. The first and second floors are social floors equipped with desktops, printers, tables, and study spaces. The first floor also has four family workstations that are desks for both parent and child. There is also a Lactation Room (152) with a changing table across from the Spark. The third and fourth floors are collaborative floors where talking is allowed but at a minimum. Located on the fourth floor, there is a gender-neutral restroom (435) with a changing table. Soundproof study pods from the lower level to the second floor can also be reserved through the UNT Libraries website. The Library Mall is also a great scenic area with many seating areas and water fountains to bird watch and people watch!  

Family Study Hours – Family Study Hours are a designated time and space for student-parents to study, do homework, and receive research assistance while their child/ren can participate in fun crafts, activities, story times, and snacks with child-friendly furniture. Kids Activity Kits are also available for children to play with and check out. Keep an eye out for upcoming Family Study Hours!  

Kids Activity Kits – Entertaining kids while on campus can be challenging. To keep kids busy, student-parents can check out a Kids Activity Kit! Kids Activity Kits are backpacks filled with fun activities, toys, and books for children ages 1-9. Each backpack follows a theme—from Developing Motor Skills to Dinosaurs to Fairytales. All kit materials were researched and purchased by library professionals to ensure each activity, book, and game is age-appropriate and contributes to fun learning. To check out Kids Activity Kits, students would need to bring their student ID to the 1^st floor Library Services Desk.

Help Yourself Campaign – Created by librarian, Brea Henson, The Help Yourself Campaign connects students to a variety of library collections (physical and electronic) about many sensitive topics such as food insecurity, financial literacy, mental health, legal services, work-life balance and many more. There is also campus, local, and national resources available for students that include departments, organizations, projects, hotlines, and much more. The Help Yourself Campaign is a great guide for all students to receive the help and education they need.

Grab & Go’s – Need a fun and quick way to entertain kids? Grab & Go’s are a fun on the go way to entertain children. Grab & Go’s consist of a fun squirrel craft with supplies and instructions, along with coloring pages, crayons, a tattoo sheet, and snacks. All Grab & Go’s can be requested at the 1^st floor Library Services Desk—no student ID required!  

Other Helpful Library Resources – Parenting and pregnant students can also find parenting books, family books, children’s books, and audiobooks. Information about the Media Library and their family-friendly movies and games can also be found—perfect for a family movie night or game night! Parenting and pregnant students can also find information about graduate student library lockers, laptop loans, and tutoring services. To learn more about Willis Library and other library resources, visit the UNT Libraries website or contact Ask Us.   

Campus Resources – The Student-Parent and Family Resources Library Guide also provides campus information for parenting students and families. Information about the Crumley Hall Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Gowns for Grads, family-friendly parking, lactation rooms, childcare resources, and family-friendly fun and entertainment can be found.  The Center for Belonging and Engagement provides campus support for non-traditional and commuter students at UNT. They also have a dedicated guide for student-parents that you can check out here. On this guide, parenting and pregnant students can find more resources and information. Families can also check out this interactive resource guide with information on family-friendly dining, entertainment, and UNT Libraries! To learn more about what UNT offers for students, check out Student Life on the UNT website

References: 

Henson, Brea. Help Yourself Campaign. UNT Libraries.  

Sick, N., Anderson, T., Green A. R., Adu-Gyamfi, A., Demario. M.A. (2023). Considerations for Postsecondary Data on Student Parenting Status. Urban Institute.  

Yates, A. S. (2024), Student-Parent Data: What We Know, What We Don’t, and How to Find Out. American Council on Education.