Innovative & Inclusive Public Library Programs at Westbank ... · Random joy (Batman, fire trucks,...
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Innovative & Inclusive Public Library Programs at Westbank Libraries Cristen Darcus, Gloria Perretti, Leah Tatgenhorst, & Maureen Turner Carey Westbank Community Library & Laura Bush Community Library Austin, Texas
Transcript of Innovative & Inclusive Public Library Programs at Westbank ... · Random joy (Batman, fire trucks,...
Innovative & Inclusive Public Library Programsat Westbank LibrariesCristen Darcus, Gloria Perretti, Leah Tatgenhorst, & Maureen Turner Carey
Westbank Community Library & Laura Bush Community Library Austin, Texas
Leah TatgenhorstPrograms Manager
Gloria PerrettiPR & Public Services Librarian
Maureen Turner CareyPR & Public Services Librarian
Cristen DarcusCommunity Librarian
Westbank Libraries—A Community Library
• What: Programs that are innovative, inclusive,
intergenerational, & immersive
• Who: Self-supporting interest groups & networks
• How: Open-ended activities
• When: Expanded come & go timeframes
Innovative & Inclusive Programsin this Presentation
1. Sensory Sundays
2. "Outside of the Box" Children
3. Library Squad
4. Free Play
5. Discovery!
6. American Sign Language Storytime
Sensory StorytimeSensory Sundays
Gloria Perretti and Maureen Turner Carey
But first, how it got started…
Traditional storytimes:– Large groups of people
– Watch and listen quietly
– Long period of sitting
– Not much one-on-one attention
– Can be loud
Community-DrivenProgramming
Unmet need:– Storytime for children on the autism spectrum and
those with Sensory Processing Disorder
How it got started…
• Goals of Sensory Storytime:– Multiple activities
– Opportunities for different kinds of exploration: sensory, creative, critical thinking, social, emotional
– Flexible schedule
– Support for parents
• Differences:– Small group
– Visual schedule
– Dim lights
What types of activities do we have on Sensory Sundays?
What does it look like?
Provide resources and a community for families
Morning routine
Encourage parent & staff involvement
Encourage kids to play together
Building
Movement
Art & imaginative play
Messy play
Sensory Bins
Fidget toys & noise-cancelling headphones
Outside time
Specialized programming
"Outside of the Box" Children
Gloria Perretti
"Outside of the Box" Children Speaker Series
Inclusive:▪ Started by a parent in our
community▪ Open to all—educate the
community
What to expect:▪ Guest speakers▪ Parent discussion
Innovative:▪ Livestreaming▪ Asynchronous
attendance▪ Topics
What does the library provide?
▪ Embedded librarianship
▪ Resources▪ Insight▪ Community
building
Library SquadCristen Darcus
How it got started…
Unmet need:
Community involvement opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities
Getting up & running:
▪ Partnering with local educators & families
▪ Starting small
▪ Building community
Library Squad—An Inclusive & Innovative Program
Vision:▪ Main Focus: Create connections▪ Grow independence▪ Foster skills & experience▪ Celebrate milestones &
achievements▪ Raise community awareness
Free PlayLeah Tatgenhorst
How it got started…
Shift in programming focus:
▪Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life by Dr. Peter Gray
Unmet need:
▪Community connection
▪Opportunities for mixed-age play
Free Play Goals
▪ create their own games
▪ develop relationships with people of all ages
▪ pursue their own interests
▪ read just for fun
▪ enjoy unstructured time in a non-homework environment
What does Free Play look like?
Lessons learned from Free Play
How has it changed?
▪ Food Trucks were difficult to sustain, we now reserve for special events and offer snacks
▪ Random joy (Batman, fire trucks, special treats)
▪ Teen volunteer opportunities
▪ Parents have become ambassadors
Effect on other programs:
▪ Eliminating age ranges wherever possible
▪ Moving programs to drop-in format
▪ Finding ways to promote self-directed discovery and learning
▪ Simplifying and eliminating rules –asking why?
What’s next?Strategic Plan 2019-2023▪ Connect▪ Learn▪ Play
Discovery!Cristen Darcus
How it got started…
Unmet need:▪ Drop-in programming that is flexible and
multi-faceted on the weekends
Goals:▪ Encourage curiosity & creativity
▪ Foster play
▪ Have fun!
Discovery!—An Inclusive & Innovative Program
▪ Broad age appeal▪ Intergenerational▪ Inclusive across neurodiverse
spectrum▪ Mix of activities
Magnets
Dot Painting
Creations
WatercolorBrain Blox
Mixed Media
Slime
Other Activities
• LEGOs
• Marble run
• Peel & Stick foam cubes
• Rigamajig
• Waffle blocks
BUILDING
• Circuits (Snap, or other kid-friendly kit)
• Kinetic Sand
• Planting Seeds
• Sensory Jars/Bins
• Sun Prints
SCIENCE & SENSORY
• Diffusing Art
• Kwik Stix
• Marble Printing
• Outdoor Painting
• Sculpting with Dough
ART EXPLORATION
• Baby Einstein Drums
• Bongo Drums
• Echo Microphones
• Flexible Rainbow Keyboard
• Giant Piano Mat
• 2-in-1 Music Mat (Learning Express)
MUSIC & MOVEMENT
American Sign Language • ASL Storytime
• ASL classes for staff
• Recruiting deaf volunteers
Ways we're growing
▪Random joy
▪Neighborhood gatherings
Tailor these ideas to your library
▪Finding the unmet needs of your community
▪Scaling to your library's size and budget
▪Starting small, and allowing for flexibility
▪Sometimes it takes time. Don't be discouraged
Books & Websites
Books
• Differently Wired by Deborah Reber
• Free to Learn by Peter Gray
• Life, Animated by Ron Suskind
• The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashidi
• 101 Games and Activities for Children with Autism, Asperger's, and Sensory Processing Disorders by Tara Delaney
Websites
• librariesandautism.org
• nationalautismassociation.org
• psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn
• runwildmychild.com
• tcdd.texas.gov
• thearc.org
• tinkerlab.com
Videos• Free Play Time-Lapse Video
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwppdMlyNNg
• Dr. Peter Gray's Play Deficit Disorder: A National Crisis and How to Solve It Locally
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwyEB55nWmo
• "Outside the Box" Children: Hitting the Right Note: How Music Therapy Can Help Your Special Needs Child
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlK3fXNUKf8
• Free Play: Preparing Libraries and Communities for an Uncertain Future
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uUyICDZLa0&t=110s
• American Sign Language Storytime
– https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=643775816115226
Want to
know more?
Email us at:▪ [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with all our awesome programs! www.facebook.com/westbanklibraries
