Cmlibrary.org | #cmlibrary Library Services for People with Special Needs Presented by Viviette White and Katie Cox October 22, 2015.

cmlibrary.org | #cmlibrary

cmlibrary.org | #cmlibrary

Library Services for People with Special NeedsPresented by Viviette White and Katie Cox

October 22, 2015

cmlibrary.org | #cmlibrary

• Making connections with the community

• Connecting customers to resources at the library and beyond

• Relaxation, “Safe Space”• Dance and other

movement activities

• Opportunity to listen to music and stories

• Quiet activities – coloring, reading, puzzles, crafts

• Providing support for an underserved population

Sensory Programs are used for…

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• Let your staff know• Contact local churches• Adult Daycares• Patrons• Community groups• Advertise on the web

Getting the word out

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• www.ncdhhs.gov North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

• http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/

• www.arcmeck.org The Arc of Mecklenburg County serves individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and their families by identifying needs, developing programs and providing resources, to promote and support independent and productive citizens within our community.

Getting the word out

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• Centrally located at your branch • Use the same room for consistency • Easy to access

Location, Location, Location

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• Windows, natural light• Lights on a dimmer

switch• CD Player, iPad, iPod• Comfortable seating

(semicircle)• Book bins

• Whiteboard, felt board• Tables for literacy

activities, crafts

Setting up your room

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cmlibrary.org | #cmlibrary

• Variety of music CDs, nature sounds

• Activity basket• “Touch and Feel” books• Fidget Kit (stress balls,

squishy balls, slinky, fidgets, hand and foot rollers)

• Rain sticks• Puppets, soft toys• Scarves, shakers• Aromatherapy (scented

pillows and fabric)

Sensory Enhancements

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• Weighted pillows• Weighted stuffed

animals• Exercise bands• Colorful parachute• Bean bags• Therapy balls

Equipment for Strong Sensory Input

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• Yoga• Art• Music• Sound therapy• Beanbag tapping• Pet therapy

Sensory Motor Activities

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• Large books, oversized books

• Books with colorful pictures, but not cluttered

• Books with photographs• Stories that can be

adapted

• Animal books• Music you can dance to• Music with instructional

lyrics (Hokey Pokey)• Catchy tunes

(appropriate language, of course)

Books and Music

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• Musician• Singer• Storyteller• Poet• Artist• Cartoonist• Crafter

Do you have a special talent?Use it in your program!

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• Introduce yourself!• Hello/Welcome Song• Book• Flannel Story/Puppet• Exercise/movement

activity (dance, follow the leader, Yoga, sing)

• Book• Literacy Activity (make

and take craft)• Goodbye

(Music/Bubbles)

Structure of a Sensory Storytime

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Structure of a Sensory Storytime

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• Viviette WhiteLibrary Services Specialist IIBeatties Ford Road Regional

Library Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

[email protected]

• Katie CoxLibrary Services Specialist IIBeatties Ford Road Regional

LibraryCharlotte Mecklenburg Library

[email protected]

Questions? Concerns?

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• Durham County Library, NC– http://www.urbanlibraries.org/sensory-storytime-for-speci

al-needs-adults-innovation-852.php?page_id=175• Former CML employee Trish Twarogowski, paving the

way in Sensory programming– http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2011/09/sensory-storytime-

preschool-programming-that-makes-sense-for-children-with-autism/

• Barbara Klipper, Youth Services Librarian, Stamford, CT– http://www.ala.org/alsc/sensory-story-tots

Resources