Inside the University’s quiet study space for families
Students who are parents now have a place where they can study and look after their children at the same time at the University of Bradford.
The Family Study Room, located on the ground floor inside the University’s library, gives students the chance to continue their studies while their children play alongside them.
The dedicated room can only be booked by one family group at a time. It is available for children aged under 12.
The room features child-friendly furniture, books and colouring books and pens. There are fun posters with the times tables, a world map and a picture of the solar system to educate and engage the children who use the facility. It includes a desk, power sockets and a chair which can be used for breastfeeding.
The room, pictured above, which launched at the start of the academic year in September 2023, is open to all students to book a time slot every weekday between 9am and 5pm. Each session can be booked for up to four hours each time. Both students and staff can make bookings for the room.
Student and single mother Mary Udoka, who is in the first year of a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health), uses the facility with her daughter Adaora, aged four, both pictured below, Mary says it is a welcome quiet space for the both of them to use, as Adaora can play while she can concentrate on her University studies at the same time.
Mary, who previously studied for a MSc in Management at the University of Bradford in 2018, said: “It’s really, really helpful. It engages the kids. It takes a lot of stress away from me. I used to think ‘How do I cope with my studies and my child?’ I was worried before I used to come to this room. It has released my stress dramatically.
I hope that more students get to know about this space. I’m excited by this room. It’s really brilliant. I love how cheerful the room is. I’m so happy
Sophie North, the University of Bradford’s Library Customer Services Manager, says the room has proved a welcome addition at the library with students who are parents making repeat bookings.
She said: “We have seen a big increase in the last few years of students using the library with small children. We could see that there was a need, as parents were finding it hard to concentrate.
“We want everyone to succeed. Hopefully, being able to make use of this space allows students with families to have more of a chance to get the good marks that they deserve.”
Anyone who uses the room, must register before they can use it. Registration forms are available from the Library Enquiry Desk. Once registered, students can book the Family Study Room online.
Go to bradford.ac.uk/library/contact-and-about-us/library-spaces for more information on how you can book the Family Study Room.