University of Rhode Island

In this Early Career Research project, Dr. Jacqueline Kociubuk at the University of Rhode Island will equip library staff to better serve self-care children ages 11-18 and their families. Self-care children, also called unattended children, are a commonly encountered after-school patron group that public library staff often struggle with determining how to best serve. The project aims to create a scalable model of training and practice by working with self-care children, library staff, and caregivers at six different libraries via case studies and youth-led co-design activities. Data from these activities will support libraries in fostering youth belonging, community embeddedness, and leadership for self-care children. Research activities will occur over three phases and culminate in the national rollout of a website with training resources.