A new report-style piece argues community colleges should redesign libraries as student success destinations that combine tutoring, advising, basic-needs support, technology access, and belonging. The argument centers on commuter patterns, technology gaps, and fragmented student pathways that reduce persistence. Rather than treating the library as a quiet study-only space, the proposal is to connect academic support and informal learning opportunities—especially for first-generation students, working adults, and learners lacking study resources at home. For institutions, the prescription is operational: integrate multiple support services under one visible campus “last-mile” building to reduce friction in help-seeking and improve engagement beyond scheduled classes.
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