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

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the University of Rhode Island $485,352 on September 1, 2026, under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313) to equip public library staff to better serve self-care children ages 11–18 and their families.

Dr. Jacqueline Kociubuk will lead the project, which creates a scalable training model through case studies and youth-led co-design activities at six libraries. The work engages self-care children (also called unattended children), library staff, and caregivers to generate data supporting libraries in fostering youth belonging, community embeddedness, and leadership. Research activities will occur over three phases and culminate in the national rollout of a website with training resources.

Performance takes place at Kingston, Rhode Island. The award runs through December 31, 2028. The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports projects that provide training and professional development to library professionals, develop faculty and information leaders, and recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals.

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.