Transforming: Services

Diversifying Your Library Services Through Sensory Spaces

Monday, June 27, 2022

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location: Washington Convention Center, 144B-C

The goal of a sensory space is to provide an environment where children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral palsy, memory loss, dementia and sensory processing disorders can feel safe and welcome. The area contains a variety of products that are visually stimulating, tactile, calming and interactive.
In this session, Assistant Director Deborah Long and staff from the Louisville Public Library share the story of how an IMLS grant led to the very first complete Sensory Space in a public library in the United States. Learn how they made it happen; what has worked, what has not, and what they are planning for the future.
Then, Assistant Director, Sara Siegler and a panel from the Ocean County Library, NJ will share with you their Sensory Space, and its journey to open up to the public, which was finally realized in 2021.
During this program, participants will conceptually create a sensory space in their own library, be it a school, special, corporate, or public institution. Participants will be given practical information for addressing considerations such as funding, budget, space design and layout, equipment, features, programming for all ages, and most importantly, discussing the project with key stakeholders. At the end of the program, participants will leave with a template so they are prepared and ready to start their project, at whatever scale, upon return to their library.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to compare, analyze, and recommend viable solutions for their own space and needs, given prospective sensory equipment and sensory space design elements.
Upon completion, participant will be able to prepare and practice effective communication to key stakeholders the importance of funding for their own sensory space.
Upon completion, participant will have participated in creating, designing and inventing their own sensory space programming and outreach based on concepts and structures learned in the session.

Main Contact(s)

Sara Siegler

Assistant Library Director
Ocean County Library

Speaker(s)

Sara Siegler

Assistant Library Director
Ocean County Library
Deborah A. Long

Assistant Library Director
Louisville Public Library
Tracey Phillips

Activities and Events Manager
Louisville Public Library
Shawn Arbogast

Technology Manager
Louisville Public Library

Moderator(s)

DB

Deborah Blackwell

Training Coordinator
Ocean County Library

Speaker(s)

GH

Givane Hayes

Branch Services Supervisor
Ocean County Library
MS

Meredith Silvestri

Sensory Space Coordinator
Ocean County Library
Wendi Smolowitz

Librarian, Autism Resources Fair Co-Chair
Ocean County Library