Giving Compass' Take:

• Sydney Johnson discusses a report that has identified the need and direction for additional research into the best ways for libraries to serve community college students. 

• How can funders assist with the next phase of research? 

• Find out how California is working to help community college students.

Libraries offer a refuge where students study, find books or take the occasional nap. But could these places soon provide additional services beyond homework help?

A new report this week explores whether libraries can play a more proactive role in helping community college students succeed. Researchers started by first asking 37 students from seven community colleges what challenges they face, which will inform the next phase of the project: devising ways to test whether libraries can assist with barriers around, say, finances, childcare, transportation and other challenges.

Students interviewed in this Ithaka S+R report also struggle with family obligations and covering childcare during class. “My wife also works full-time and takes classes during the evenings, so we have to ask her family or my family [or] get a babysitter, which is not cheap, to watch the kids while we’re both in school,” one student in the report says.

With these issues in mind, the next phase of the project will focus on designing and testing ideas around how libraries can provide relevant supports. Exact strategies have yet to be finalized, but Braddlee says they are looking at examples such as how some colleges keep toys and children’s books at the library for parents to rent while they are studying if they bring their kids, or reserve private study rooms for student-parents.

Read the full article about community college libraries by Sydney Johnson at EdSurge.