We are proud of our brand-new library, but we want to be sure it is a welcoming place for all. Located next to the City Pool and a public park, with a children’s area full of fun play items like LEGOS, games, and shakers, as well as computers and books, there’s lots for children to see and do both inside and outside of the building.
Will this just be too much for some kids to take in?
Research indicates that 5-13% of American kids between the ages of 4 to 6 have a sensory processing challenge, which can cause them to react to inputs like bright lights, loud noises, and new surroundings. This means busy public spaces like the library and a park or pool can sometimes be overwhelming.
But we have an exciting opportunity to do something about this!
We are very proud to have been one of 300 libraries in the country selected for the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. The grant award of $10,000 will allow us to transform our Anstaff Bank Plaza next to the children’s area into a sensory-friendly place for our patrons and community. The idea is that the space will be furnished with special seating and calming activities for kids and families when the library itself or the nearby pool and park are too overwhelming.
To that end, we need help from our patrons and community to know how best to design this space!
We are hosting a community design conversation next week, Thursday, October 22, at 5:30 pm at the new library on 207 S. Springfield Street. We would love to have all who have experiences or ideas with sensory processing challenges to come and be part of this conversation. We especially want to hear from children and families who may have had recent issues at the library or in another public place. We hope you can join us for the conversation or will pass your feedback onto our director, Julie Hall, if you’re not able to attend.
Be part of making the new library an even better place for everyone in our community!
“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).”
Are you planning to attend the meeting? Do you or someone you know have a sensory processing disorder? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by noise, light, crowds or other things in a public space? Tell us in the comments.
