Scotch Plains Public Library
LYRASIS Member Library Has National Impact on Library Autism Services
By Kathy Anderson
The innovative, award-winning “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” project is a moving example of the power that one person can have. The project began simply. Three years ago, the mother of a son with autism visited Meg Kolaya, Director of the Scotch Plains Public Library (NJ), a LYRASIS member library. After several disappointing attempts to find community activities and services for her son, the mother tried the library. “She wanted to know where she could find activities and services for her son and I thought ‘Well, we can do that. We can buy materials, set up programs, arrange for library services’,” recalled Meg Kolaya. “That’s what we do. The mission of the library is to accommodate everyone.”
With the realization of the need to serve individuals on the autism spectrum, the library started a monthly program of speakers, health screenings, which generated more people coming to the library for autism resources, services, and networking. “No one realizes the full extent of how many families are affected by autism, “said Kolaya. “An older library patron might have a grandchild on the spectrum, for example.”
The Scotch Plains Public Library then collaborated with neighboring Fanwood Memorial Library, led by director Dan Weiss, to develop “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” through an incubator grant project, “Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families,” with INFOLINK: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative. About the collaboration with Fanwood Memorial Library, Kolaya noted, “We find that everything we do together seems to have better results than working as individual institutions.” The two libraries are currently working toward a joint library building project and have developed a joint digital archives website for the two towns.
With their grant, the libraries hired a documentary film producer and film crew from New York City and developed a 15-minute customer service training video, with the goal of giving 2-3 tips about autism and how best to interact with individuals on the autism spectrum. The video focuses on basic facts about autism and empowers library staff with specific techniques to offer more inclusive service to this growing and underserved population.
In addition to the training video, the “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” website has grown to offer extensive resources on autism, including a non-verbal communication tool and a storybook template that a library can customize to provide a visual pre-visit for a child with autism. Winner of the 2009 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award (Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, Keystone Library Automation System, National Organization on Disability), the project that began with one mother’s visit to the library is now having a national impact on how libraries serve individuals with autism.
“This is probably the most rewarding thing I’ve been involved with since I’ve become a librarian. It isn’t expensive. It’s so simple to do. It doesn’t require a line item in a budget. It’s just really good customer service for anyone who comes in the library door,” said Kolaya.
Workshops led by Kolaya and Weiss have been held in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. “There’s been an incredible response,” says Kolaya. “Every time we get some publicity, there’s a whole new wave of people who look at our website.” All materials on the website, including the non-verbal communication guide and a customizable book, are available for free download. Libraries that want to publicize their participation in the project can request a free decal for the library doors. For information on how to schedule an in-depth training for your library or group, contact autism@thejointlibrary.org.
The “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” website has launched a virtual campaign to raise awareness and train librarians. In a press release issued to announce the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD award, Kathleen Hegarty, awards committee chair, said, “State sponsorship, able project leadership, the involvement of the autism community, and highly effective promotion have contributed to the success of an initiative that has had a national impact.” Kolaya and Weiss will accept their award during the American Library Association National Conference, July 9 – 15, 2009 in Chicago.
Meg Kolaya welcomes questions from librarians who are interested in implementing the project in their community and can be reached at autism@thejointlibrary.org or 908.322.5007. She encourages libraries to explore the website and “Try anything! I guarantee it will be a rewarding experience.”
LINKS:
Libraries And Autism: We're Connected - http://www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/
Library Training Video: http://www.thejointlibrary.org/autism/video.htm
ALA press release of ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award:
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/asclaklasnod.cfm
