Libraries and Autism
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By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 10/29/2008 2:00:00 PM
For every 150 patrons at your public library, chances are that one has autism—and most librarians don’t have the experience to deal with them. That’s why the Scotch Plains Public Library and the Fanwood Memorial Library, both in New Jersey, produced a customer-service training video for its staffers to better serve those with autism and their families.
The video focuses on what librarians need to know about autism spectrum disorder and offers specific techniques on how to be more inclusive and comprehensive when interacting with this growing, yet underserved, population.
The two libraries featured in the video—as well as local school library media specialists—received training from experts such as Linda Meyer, executive director of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community; Jill Harris, director of Psychology and Coordinator of the Autism Center of Excellence at Children's Specialized Hospital; and Adrienne Robertiello, founder of Community Partnership for People with Autism.
As a result of this training, the two libraries now display the "Libraries and Autism: We're Connected" decals on their front doors to alert the community to their staff's newly heightened awareness and willingness to provide a more inclusive service. Additionally, the two libraries—which share a combined database—have developed a large, up-to-date collection of resources available to assist the many individuals, families, and professionals who have or are dealing with autism.
A Web site was created to share valuable information and tools. The video, also available on YouTube, is beginning to generate national and international attention from both libraries and those in the autism community.
"It was about time that the community got involved in such an important topic," wrote one parent responding to an online survey. “I took my son to the library a couple times when he was three, right before his diagnosis. Since then I never took him back because people used to stare at us when he was acting up. My son is now eight, and after I found out about your Web site, I took him back last week. Thank you for the great info and support!"
After a workshop session for children's librarians in Pennsylvania, Susan Pannebaker, State Youth Services Advisor said, "Thank you so much for a great program! You have really put together an easy-to-replicate program for all public libraries. Everyone left talking about what they were going to do when they got back to work.”
For more information about this project and to receive a free "Libraries and Autism: We're Connected" decal for your library, contact the libraries.
The video was created as part of the "Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families" incubator project in partnership with Infolink: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative.
