Self-Care in the Library

Librarians at West Chester University saw a need for spaces where the campus community could engage in activities that require a level of privacy. These activities include prayer/mediation, expressing milk, addressing medical or mental health needs, escaping sensory overload, and changing or adjusti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pennsylvania libraries 2024-06, Vol.12 (1)
Main Author: Childs, Gary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic libraries
Autism
College campuses
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Employees
Library Spaces
Meditation
Mental health
Prayer
Privacy
Self-Care
Student organizations
Student retention
University Students
User needs
Veterans
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Summary:Librarians at West Chester University saw a need for spaces where the campus community could engage in activities that require a level of privacy. These activities include prayer/mediation, expressing milk, addressing medical or mental health needs, escaping sensory overload, and changing or adjusting clothing. Lacking the space to create multiple spaces dedicated to specific needs, the library instead created a Self-Care Space, a flexible room that could be utilized to fulfill multiple needs. This article will describe the Self-Care Space, report on room usage, and provide analysis of data gathered from users. This data shows that the Self-Care Space has been both used and appreciated by the campus community, meaning the space has potential to serve as a model for other academic libraries.
ISSN:2324-7878
DOI:10.5195/palrap.2024.293