NC Library Week: Celebrating Accessibility
Celebrate NC Library Week, April 8-12
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Happy Library Week! We are starting the celebration by taking a look at how libraries are making literacy and learning inclusive for all community members. Read further to see how three NC public libraries are adapting services to meet community needs and find resources for further learning on bringing these and similar services to your library.
Learning Studio at Wayne County Public Library
The Learning Studio is a LSTA grant funded project, inspired by Richland Library in South Carolina, that supports children with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD through a lending library, community workshops, and tutoring services. The goal of this project is to not only support children with learning differences but to look at these differences through an asset based lens to build confidence and connections for those same children.
This project is a passion project for project manager and Assistant Director, Maegen Wilson, whose son was diagnosed with dyslexia. After personally struggling to navigate his educational journey and realizing that 20% of other children are navigating similar journeys, the library saw a need to provide targeted services in Wayne County.
So far, the service has reached over 1,000 community members through presentations, workshops, and resource circulations. Parents frequently meet with staff to discuss what options are available to help their children and many have cried tears of joy at being able to see not only how to help their children, but what their children are capable of accomplishing. For many parents, diagnosis can be accompanied by a grief response and the library has been able to help parents navigate that response. This project has also reached beyond Wayne County. Over the past months, ECU, UNC, NCSIP, Decoding Dyslexia NC and other libraries have reached out to partner or to find out more information about the program—this includes being invited to speak at the NCSIP conference in March.
Find out more about programming available at the Learning Studio here.
Next Chapter Book Club at Haywood County Public Library
Following the library’s mission of inspiring Haywood County to connect, discover, and grow, the Haywood County Public Library - Canton Branch offers programs for adults with developmental disabilities. These include a book club, reading with a therapy dog, and gardening.
The book club is a chapter of The Next Chapter Book Club, a national initiative helping people with disabilities enjoy books, friends, and their community. The Haywood County chapter began about five years ago and meets twice a month at the Canton Branch. Participants can also meet with therapy dog, Toddy, to practice their reading skills. The gardening program meets twice a month, seasonally, to care for the garden and harvest the produce. The participants also learn basic gardening skills and how to prepare fresh produce.
Community need was the main reason these programs were started. About 6 years ago, the library was contacted by both a community organization, as well as a local highschool teacher, wanting to collaborate on programming, for teens and adults with disabilities. This initiative would put a special focus on literacy.
The impact of these programs on the community is vast and include community collaboration, improved literacy skills, and socialization.
Social Stories at Wake County Public Libraries
Our library system now operates with an awareness about sensory needs in everything we do,” said Connie Brandt, senior library manager for programming. “We have a trained staff who can offer tools to help people experience the library in a way that works for them. It’s become a place they can come and enjoy just as they are.
Social Stories serve as valuable tools for individuals who benefit from knowing what to expect in various environments. These stories offer insights into potential sensory stimuli such as bright lights, background noise, textures, and social interactions, allowing individuals to prepare themselves for sensory sensitivities.
The inception of this service stems from a proactive approach to foster inclusivity within Wake County Libraries. Inspired by a project opportunity within Wake County Government’s Innovation Office. The original submitter was library intern Michelle Wolfson who wanted WCPL to explore ways to assist individuals with disabilities. Following a staff survey, our team shifted towards expanding resources for neurodiverse individuals. Through collaboration with KultureCity and with support from County Innovations office, Library administration, and county leaders, the initiative gained momentum. The overarching goal is to ensure that the library remains a welcoming space for all, with a commitment to accommodating diverse needs.
Although still in the early stages of implementation, the initiative has already garnered positive feedback and engagement from the community. While formal evaluation measures are in the pipeline, anecdotal evidence suggests a growing awareness and utilization of the resources provided. The upcoming tracking of kit usage and discussions on evaluation strategies will further illuminate the impact of the program on the community.
Accessibility Focused On-demand Learning Resources
Interested in making your library’s services more accessible? Check out these great on-demand learning resources available to through the State Library’s Niche Academy. A Niche Academy account is free to all NC library staff.
Sensory Storytime 101: Where to Start and How to Make it Amazing!
Using Universal Design to Make Your Library More Accessible and Inclusive
D(ID) You Know? Welcoming Adults with Intellectual and Developmental
Don’t Frame the Braille! When Good Librarians Go Inaccessible
Services from Accessible Books and Library Services
The State Library wants to remind you that services for visually impaired persons are available through Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) for all qualifying NC residents. See our website for more information on obtaining an ALBS Library card.
Many thanks to our special contributors: Maegen Wilson of Wayne County Public Library, Jennifer B. Stuart of Haywood County Library and Brandy Hamilton, Wake County Public Libraries.