Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
WJBR.com | Your Mix From The 80s To Now! A Library For Every Family
  • Home
  • Latest Stories
        • News

          • Music
          • Celebs
          • Lifestyle
          • Local
        • Trending

  • Listen + Watch
        • Listen + Watch

          • Podcasts
          • Galleries
          • Focus On The Delaware Valley
        • “Alexa, Open j.b.r.”

          WJBR Alexa logo
        • Podcasts

        • Galleries

  • Contests
  • Events
  • Shopping
  • More
        • Connect

          • Download WJBR.com App
          • Contact Us
          • Beasley Best Community of Caring
          • Ways to Listen to WJBR.com
          • Careers
        • Subscribe To Our Email Newsletter

          WJBR newsletter image

A Library For Every Family

Author Jennifer Williams
May 16th, 2018 4:43 PM

For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, reading can be a challenging job and a public library is not always inviting.  Some kids need a quiet and calming environment, while others need outside stimulation to allow them to concentrate on the task. 

At the new Route 9 Library & Innovation Center in Newark, Delaware, kids with autism and other sensory issues can enjoy their own library experience in a room specifically dedicated to their needs.

“It’s all about the literacy,” explained Heidi Mizell, Resource Coordinator for Autism Delaware. “What would make a child with a sensory disorder want to read?”

The new community learning hub redefines the library experience with ‘Experiential’ spaces.  It included a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning laboratory, a black box theater, a maker space, and the Sensory Room.   With solar projections and special acoustic technology, kids are able to modulate the levels of sensory stimulation to their personal comfort level.  Developed in partnership with Autism Delaware, it’s the first sensory room in the United States designed for a public library.

The design team created many special features for the room, including a little cabin for children wanting a small, secure space and a fiber optic ‘curtain’ that can either enclose a vibrating chair or be draped over a shoulder to direct attention down onto a book.  There are bubble tubes that change color for hugging or resting on and an interactive projector that responds to movement, changing the floor to images of water, ice or leaves.  Adding sound to the room, special speakers coordinate with the colors and images to produce tones or words.

“Our vision for the room is for folks to come in and use the space to be calmed enough or stimulated enough to read or be read to.  Many folks with autism present with sensory issues and this room will be useful to many in our community,” said Ms. Mizell, noting that others will also find a use for the area.    “For example, someone who is visually impaired may respond to the fiber optics, using them to assist someone’s eyes down to a book.  Or, maybe someone with Alzheimer’s could be calmed or stimulated enough to allow a caregiver to sit and read for a short time. We allowed room for wheelchairs in our plans and there are materials say, weighted or vibrating, available to meet many sensory needs.”

New Castle County’s Innovation Center Library offers something for everyone with a Media Production Studio, a full-service kitchen for students interested in the culinary arts and The Lego® Room where kids and adults can create and build together whatever their imagination comes up with.   While the new library building is brand new, built through a combination of state and county money, older libraries can also make accommodations for families with autism.

Dedicated ‘Sensory’ time before or after public hours, a special section filled with manipulative toys to play and experiment with, or portioning off a small section and adding adjustable lighting can instantly create a more welcoming feel for families dealing with sensory issues.

The Route 9 Library Innovation Center  ( http://nccde.org/1389/Route-9-Library-Innovation-Center )

__________________________________

FOR THE LIBARARIAN

 

Suzanne Schriar

“Making a library facility more sensory friendly and accessible for individuals with autism requires some training and general knowledge about autism,” notes Suzanne Schriar, Associate Director, Library Automation & Technology, Gwendolyn Brooks Building, Illinois State Library.

She points to one area of concern for most libraries, sensory ‘triggers.’

“Sensory overload is a characteristic of autism and can result in emotional meltdowns,” she explains.

Sensory triggers in a library can include the humming and flickering of fluorescent lighting, seating that is uncomfortable or too crowded, loud noises, clutter and a lack of clear signage or directions.  Some of these are easy fixes.

“For cost-effective solutions and best practices for library programming and environmental considerations, a wonderful resource is Programming for Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Barbara Klipper (ALA Editions, 2014)” she recommends.  “In addition, check out the resources page in the Targeting Autism for Librarians blog.  (https://targetingautismlibs.com/about/).”

At the Targeting Autism site, you’ll find information about other innovative programs and services, librarian workshops and even grants from all across the country.

Another online resource can be found at Libraries & Autism (http://www.librariesandautism.org/index.htm)

WJBR.com | Your Mix From The 80s To Now!

Sign me up for the WJBR email newsletter!

You love WJBR, so join the Insiders Club! Be the first to know about local events, concerts and contests, and get the latest updates with your favorite artists, and more delivered right to your inbox.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Jennifer Williams
Category:
  • Beasley Best Community of Caring – Autism Awareness
  • WJBR
Tags:
Autism

More Beasley Best Community of Caring – Autism Awareness

Jennifer Lawrence on Aging and the Power of Makeup

Taika Waititi Only Directed ‘Thor’ Because He Needed Money

John Mulaney ‘Identified’ with Matthew Perry’s Addiction Struggles

Kim Kardashian’s Comedy ‘The Fifth Wheel’ to Stream on Netflix

John Travolta Details Near-Death Experience Piloting Plane

Gordon Ramsay Says to Never Order This at a Restaurant

Nicholas Hoult to Play Lex Luthor in ‘Superman: Legacy’

Sofia Vergara’s Divorce Made an ‘Interesting and Very Difficult’ Year

These Celebrities Have a December Birthday

Letterman Appears On ‘Late Show’ For the 1st Time Since 2015

Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse Expecting First Child

Snoop Dogg Explains Why He’s Going ‘Smokeless’

Drew Barrymore: Why She’s Never Done Plastic Surgery

Martin Scorsese’s Daughter ‘Tricked’ Him Into Making Viral TikToks

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Parents Expected To Meet Monday Night

Sydney Sweeney Gets Cheeky in Sexy Swimsuit Cover

Snoop Dogg Says He Will Stop Smoking

‘Kardashians’ Fans Call Tristan Thompson a ‘Master Manipulator’

Lisa Kudrow Honors Matthew Perry with Heartfelt Tribute

Mariah Carey Reveals Her Favorite Christmas Song (It’s Not Her Own)

Will Smith Denies Duane Martin Sex Allegations

Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer Share Matthew Perry Tributes

Courteney Cox on Matthew Perry: ‘I Miss You Every Day’

Matt LeBlanc Shares Touching Tribute to Matthew Perry

Taylor Swift Changes Lyrics For Travis Kelce, Kisses Him (VIDEO)

Ryan Gosling’s Glow-up Over the Last 20 Years

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Best Movies, Ranked

Bad Bunny Slams AI TikTok Song That Mimics His Voice

Patrick Dempsey is This Year’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’

Jeremy Renner: What He Learned From the Snowplow Accident

Megan Fox Discusses Past Abusive Relationships

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Slammed as ‘Eco-hypocrites’

JoJo Siwa Doesn’t Care if She Lost Fans After Coming Out

Khloe Kardashian Another Photoshop Fail in Kris Jenner Tribute

Why Kendell Jenner Was Ready for Bad Bunny

Kourtney Kardashian Welcomes Baby Boy with Travis Barker

These Famous Redheads Are Scorchin’

Pamela Anderson Gets Candid About Not Wearing Makeup at 56

Nicolas Cage Calls AI a ‘Nightmare’

Jessica Simpson Celebrates 6 Years of Sobriety

Kendall Jenner: Her Most Alluring Looks of 2023

Kim Kardashian Says North West Prefers Living with Kanye

Taylor Tomlinson To Replace James Corden’s Late-Night Slot

Kim Kardashian’s Nipple Bra Praised By Breast Cancer Patients

Legendary College Basketball Coach Bob Knight Dies At 83

Heidi Klum’s Peacock Costume Included Backup Dancers

The Hottest Celebrity Women Under 5’3″

Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum Are Engaged After 2 Years of Dating

Load More
Beasley Media Group
Download our station app

Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before!

Download on the App Store Download on the Google Play
About
  • Updated Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
  • Advertiser’s Terms and Conditions
  • DMCA
  • EEO
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
Connect
  • Download WJBR.com App
  • Subscribe To Our Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram