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G2S Project Code: 2015-KS-75971
State: Kansas
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
Southeast Kansas Library System

Project Director
Director Name: Sandy Wilkerson
Director Phone: 620-365-5136
Director Email: swilkerson@sekls.org
General Information
Title: Autism Disability Resource Kits for Librarians Serving Patrons with ASD & other Disabilities
State Project Code: 15-LSTA-SEKLS-ASD (KLCY)
Start Date: 04/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: The purpose of the Autism Disability Resource Kits for Librarians Serving Patrons with ASD & other Disabilities is to train Kansas librarians in best practices for serving patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) & equip them with resources to provide programming for such patrons through the creation of one ASD Resource Kit for circulation to libraries across the state. One copy of this kit will be housed at each of the seven Regional Library Systems for a total of seven copies of the kit.

The kits have been used to train Kansas librarians in strategies for helping patrons on the autism spectrum, as well as exposing the same librarians to some of the tools and resources available for creating sensory storytimes. Since the kits became available, a number of libraries have added sensory storytimes to their programming schedules, including the Ottawa Public Library and the Liberal Memorial Public Library.


State Goal: Provide user-centric library services that facilitate lifelong learning for all Kansas residents.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$2,000.00
$0.00
$1,152.00
$3,152.00
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Programming & Event Planning
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Kit creation
Narrative: Southeast Kansas Library System (SEKLS) compiled the kits and distributed grant funds. The project team from the Kansas Librarians for Children & Youth (KLCY) submitted the proposal with SEKLS administering the grant.
The purpose of the kits was the reach at least one librarian at each of the libraries in Kansas, meaning 328 people. 
Train Kansas librarians in best practices for servingpatrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & equip them with resources toprovide programming for such patrons through the creation of one ASD ResourceKit for circulation to libraries across the state. One copy of this kit will behoused at each of the seven Regional Library Systems for a total of sevencopies of the kit.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 7
Number of plans/frameworks: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 7
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Total of 390 librarians exposed to the kits. 1. The Southeast Kansas Library System used the kit for training at their KASL District 2 meeting in April of 2016, as well as for two other training sessions allowing the kit to reach 50 individual librarians. SEKLS also had the kit available at their sensory storytime workshop exposing 14 librarians to the kit. 2. The North Central Kansas Libraries System used the kit for training at their KASL District 4 meeting in January of 2016, allowing the kit to reach 20 school librarians, and at their Summer Reading workshop, exposing 58 public librarians to the kit. 3. The Northwest Kansas Library System presented the kit at a system meeting reaching 50 people. NWKLS promoted the kit through their newsletter, webpage, and targeted emails. They also created 5 additional resource kits to circulate to Goodland schools. 4. The Northeast Kansas Library System presented the kit at their summer reading workshop reaching 74 people, as well as publicizing the kit through emails targeted at youth services librarians. 5. The Southwest Kansas Library System presented the kit at their winter exchange and school librarian meeting reaching 26 people. They also publicized the kit through their printed newsletter and at a system board meeting. 6. The Central Kansas Library System presented the kit at their summer reading workshop reaching 45 people and at the KASL District 3 meeting reaching 15 school librarians. They have brought the kit on their summer visits, reaching 16 libraries and 21 librarians. They plan to present the kit at an upcoming Tech Day workshop and Youth services workshop in September. 7. The South Central Kansas Library System displayed the kit at their August 2016 School Librarian Open House where 12 school librarians were exposed to the kit. • The seven kits have circulated 19 times in the time between their release in September and the beginning of summer reading. All kits contain one each of the following items: o Sensory Seekers Combo Pack o Finger Fidget Pencils w/ Fidget Toppers o Basic Fiddle Set o Tangle Jr. Fidget Toys o Wacky Tracks o Geo Twister o Fidget Toys o Yellow Bendy Man o Bendeez o Desk Buddy Sensory Bar o Slinky Jr.'s o D'Addario Varigrip Hand Exerciser o Gripmaster Hand Exerciser o FlexiBlox Fidgets o Finger Fitness Power Web Jr. o Flexi-Grip Hand, Finger & Forearm Exerciser o Gaiam Restore Hand Therapy Exercise Balls o Power-Web Jr. Med. Resistance o Flexi-Grip Hand, Finger & Forearm Exerciser o Noise cancelling headphones o Weighted lap belt o Calming bottle o Foot fidget o Notebook of educational resources o Rubbermaid tote Project outcomes: • Addition of a Disability Resources main page (26 views) and sub-category pages on the Regional Library Systems website, including: o American Sign Language Resources (16 views) o Apps for Patrons with Disabilities (10 views) o Articles Focusing on Library Services for Patrons with Disabilities (13 views) o Disability Resources from YALSA (9 views) o Dyslexia Resources (13 views) o Educational & Training Opportunities and Websites (15 views) o General Resources for Parents of Children with Disabilities (13 views) o Pinterest Boards Focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder (15 views) o Print Resources Related to Library Services for Patrons with Disabilities (13 views) o Programming for Youth with Disabilities–from ALSC (13 views) o Resources for Toys, Manipulatives, and Assistive Technology (19 views) o Sensory Storytime Information (26 views) • Because of the collaborative work on the Autism Sensory Disability Kits, two of the regional library systems presented Sensory Storytime training workshops. o SEKLS had 14 librarians attend their workshop. o NEKLS had 29 librarians attend their workshop. • Creation of a Sensory Storytime training video, published July 8, 2016 available on NCKLS website—24 views • 5 libraries added Sensory Storytimes • 14 libraries added Autism Spectrum Disorder resources to their libraries
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
• Although the regional library systems normally work mainly with public librarians, the Disability Resources Kits have been particularly attractive to school librarians. • A number of libraries have requested lists of all the information, resources, and objects in the kits in order to create autism kits of their own.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Review of Administrative Data
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No: This was a one-time subgrant provided and is not planned to be repeated.
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: