Nursing student wins Library innovation prize
Posted on 17 March 2020
Second year nursing student Shelly Vipond recently won the University of York’s library LibInspo innovation competition. Shelly was selected as one of six finalists for the event in February, where she presented her pitch to a panel of judges and an audience from across the University.
Shelly impressed the judges with her idea for a family-friendly space in the Library, where students with children would have a shared space to work and play. She had done some fantastic research about what a difference such a space makes to student parents, many of whom find it difficult to find time to study alongside their caring responsibilities.
The judges chose Shelly as the winner and she received a prize of £1,000 and was named Library Innovator 2020. The library will now work with Shelly to make her idea a reality.
Shelly said: “I am delighted to be awarded the LibInspo award 2020 and truly grateful to the judges for seeing the potential that this will provide. The provision will enable flexibility and a study/home life balance that students with children need. It really shows that the University of York are truly thinking of the diverse student body that makes up the University. I can’t wait to work with the University to make this a reality and to be able to use it with my own children.”
Professor Paul Galdas, Professor of Nursing and Deputy Head of Department (Nursing and Midwifery) said: “Huge congratulations to Shelly on an excellent idea to help students who are parents to manage their studies alongside their caring duties. I am immensely proud of the continuing success of our nursing students with their inspiring visions for the future. I look forward to seeing the final space when the work has been carried out.”