Sensory Storytimes:

Reaching Children with Special Needs

in the Public Library

Panelists• Emily Neal and Rhian Vanderburg;

Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center

• Charlotte Beck, Teacher in Cabarrus Schools

• Emily Nanney,• Interim Children’s Coordinator• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Overview of Packet• Contact information

• Program Brochure• Bookhive Bookmarks• Storyplace • Focus Group Questions• Program Ideas/Outlines• Recommended Books for the

Library Collection• Helpful Websites

Content of Workshop

• Starting Sensory Storytimes in the Public Library• Partnering with local community agencies and

schools• Focus Groups• Learning from parents about programming needs• Connecting with others that offer Sensory

Programming• Program ideas and outlines• Creating Sensory Programming Kits• Creating Family and Community Contact

Distribution Lists• Booklists for the Library Collection• Information from community panelists

Conducting a Storytime for Children with Special Needs

•How programming got started in Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

•Video for staff training•Sample storytime• http://www.cmlibrary.org/program

s/special_needs/default.asp

Starting Sensory Storytimes in the Public Library

• Request from parents• Poll of staff interested in offering

this type programming• Started with Sensory Storytime

(content for preschool level)• Flexibility and a positive attitude

Partnering with local community agencies and

schools• Autism Society of NC

Mecklenburg County Chapter

• Tours of private and public schools

Focus Groups• What would an effective program look like to you?• What services would you like the public library to offer for

parents/families of children with special needs?• What challenges do you face when you visit the library• What tips can you give us for interacting with you and your child?• Is there anything you would like to share with library staff about

the challenges of having a child with special needs in your family?• What resources would you recommend that the library have that we

currently don’t?• Who would you recommend as potential partners for the public

library to have?• What would make the public library the first destination for your

family to go to spend free time?• How often would you like to see special needs programs offered?• It there any additional information that you would like to share?

Comments from Parents/Caregivers on

Surveys• Saturday is a really great day. Doctors

and therapy appointments would prevent us from coming during the week.

• This is a great idea! Kids can roam free and make noise without parents worrying they are bothering others.

• Tip: It is helpful to talk to my child in short and concise sentences “keep it short and sweet”

Learning from parents about programming needs

• What services are you looking for?• Books that appeal to siblings who have a

brother or sister with special needs• Picture books that have stories about children

with special needs• Braille Books• Programs where my child can make noise and

doesn’t have to sit• Drop in programs that I don’t have to register

for

What challenges do you face• Hide items for storytime so my child

does not try and take them• Loud hour on the computers would be

great• It would be helpful to have paper towels

in the restrooms instead of the dryers since my child is sensitive to noise

• Noise is always an issue for my family. It is helpful to have a program in the community room where we can be loud.

Anything you would like to share?

• The library is one of the few places that we can come and meet as a group in public

• Don’t have to worry about food since my child also has allergies and this is a big issue

• Have pillows and stuffed animals

Connecting with Others that Offer Sensory Programming

• Professors, Dr. Linda Lucas Walling, Distinguished Professor

Emeritus• Peers in other library systems• Other agencies

Tips on Offering Programs• Be “on your toes”• Be ready for anything and don’t

expect things to go as planned• Might have to redirect children

and program plans

Programming Ideas and Outlines• It’s OK if kids are at different levels.• Feel free to leave and come back if you need

to during the program.• You are welcome to all of our programs – if you

feel this is working well for you and your child, you may wish to consider our other weekly programming.

• Please fill out a short survey you will find on the table.

• We are open to all comments and suggestions.

Sensory Programming Kits

• Themes– Farm – Animals– Food – Color– Transportation(Hand and stick puppets; flannels;

scarves; bubbles; bean bags; books; program outlines; schedule cards; etc.)

Sensory Programming Kits

Schedule Board with Picture Cards

Family and Community Contact Distribution Lists

• Have a sign in sheet during the storytime for parents to leave e-mail contacts

• Attend an Autism Fair and get contacts

Booklists for the Library Collection• Bookhive

– Special Needs Category

Goals and Outcomes• Outcomes are a way of explaining why you did

what you did and can begin to answer questions such as “So what?” and “What benefits did the participants gain from the program?” Outcomes should focus on the participants.

• What funders often ask• Changes in behavior and/or attitude• Outcomes tell a story that statistics alone

cannot do; give meaning to a measure• Outcomes can be initial; intermediate; and

long-term

Goals and Outcomes• Takes a while to build program• Not large attendance numbers but that

is okay• Families feel more comfortable using

the library• Parents feel relaxed; in a safe place;

don’t have to worry; joy you see from parents; not judged; relaxed stories

• Have items in your children’s area for parents to use stuffed animals; puppets

Helpful websites• Autism Society of North Carolina

• http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/• CML, Programming for Children with Special

Needs• http://www.plcmc.org/programs/special_needs/de

fault.asp• Linda Lucas Walling Collection, Materials for

and/or about Children with Disabilities• http://www.libsci.sc.edu/walling/bestfolder.htm• National Association for Down Syndrome• http://www.nads.org/• Allegro Foundation• www.allegrofoundation.net• Green sheet in your packet includes list of many

helpful websites

ALSC Blog Series by Patricia Twarogowski

“Book the event room for an extra ½ hour for parents to socialize”

“Attend local chapter meetings of the Autism Society and the Down

Syndrome Association”“Double visuals”

(book/puppet/flannel)Use as many visuals as possible

Music- sensitivity to music, low key musicAllergies – no foodFlexibilityE-mail remindersTiming – Saturday mornings seem to work wellNot as bright lightingRug or carpet squaresPillows/stuffed animals

The Future• Programming for older children• More partnerships (SmartStart)• Charlotte Speech and Hearing

spring series• Parks & Recreation• Schools

(where children/teens are)

Booking It

• Elementary children• Books; hands-on literacy

activities/crafts• Group participation (hot potato)• Parents/caregivers in room as

needed

Book Exploration for Teens

• Book and CD• Activities related to scenes in book

Questions?

Information from Community Panelists

• Charlotte Beck, Teacher in Cabarrus Schools

• Emily Neal & Rhian Vanderburg, Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center