innovative & inclusive public library programs at westbank ... · random joy (batman, fire...

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:▪ cristen@westbanklibrary.com

▪ gloria@westbanklibrary.com

▪ leah@westbanklibrary.com

▪ maureen@westbanklibrary.com

Follow us on Facebook to keep up with all our awesome programs! www.facebook.com/westbanklibraries