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G2S Project Code: 2019-MA-83005
State: Massachusetts
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Katherine Hand
Director Phone: 413-665-2642
Director Email: director@sunderlandpubliclibrary.org
General Information
Title: Access for All:
State Project Code: 20.01.01
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: The Sunderland Public Library decided to reimagine services to children on the autism spectrum and their families in ways that will invite them into the library, make them more comfortable spending time at the library, and make them feel like a valuable part of the community. These goals were accomplished by hiring consultants to assist in making services and facilities more accessible for people on the autism spectrum, developing programs that serve children on the autism spectrum, developing a sensory toy collection, redeveloping resources on autism, and by redoubling efforts to reach out to children on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.

State Goal: Access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,500.00
$0.00
$5,190.88
$12,690.88
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Education
Parenting & Family skills
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Sensory Friendly Hours and Playgroup
Narrative: The library designated four hours as sensory friendly hours two times a month. The environment was altered to better serve the needs of children on the autism spectrum. During this time a Sensory Friendly Playgroup was held from 3:30 pm- 5:00 each day. It included a structured art activity with a trained instructor and several stations in the children's room with sensory friendly toys.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 16
Number of times program administered: 2


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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 20 SCHOOL ST.
City: SUNDERLAND
State: MA
Zip: 01375
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Libraries
Narrative: A training session targeting Sunderland Library staff that provided an introduction on how people on the autism spectrum engage with public libraries. The session was designed to provide tips on how libraries can make their facilities and services better suited to meeting the needs of people on the spectrum. The project director opened up this training to staff of surrounding libraries and was able to reach an additional 14 people.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 19
Number of times program administered: 1


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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 20 SCHOOL ST.
City: SUNDERLAND
State: MA
Zip: 01375
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The library designed a series of programs to meet the needs of the target audience. This was measured through short paper surveys distributed at the end of each program. The returned surveys indicated that the programs were enjoyed by participants. The clear majority of surveys were entirely positive, with a few surveys including suggestions for how programs could be improved. The library staff made every effort to incorporate this feedback into their plans for future programs. A Sensory Toy Collection was created and tracked monthly using the library’s Integrated Library System. The library added a total of 42 Sensory Toys for patrons to borrow. However, due to the library’s closure, items in the Sensory Toy collection were unable to circulate from mid-March through August, when the library staff agreed to begin circulating Sensory Toys again. Because of both the closure and the several months between when sets of Sensory Toys would be added to the collection, the figures do not accurately reflect the impact of the new collection. Ultimately, the 42 items in the Sensory Toy collection were borrowed a total of 51 times during the grant year. Library staff also found that many visitors to the library enjoyed using the Sensory Toys while in the library but did not take them home with them. Item such as the Yuck-E-Balls and other smaller items in this collection circulated many times, while larger items such as the Weighted Blanket and Tactile Discs were used frequently in the library but never circulated outside of the library. The library also hoped that teachers and institutions would take advantage of this new collection, but this did not appear to be the case. Though teachers at Sunderland Elementary School, North Star Self-Directed Learning Center for Teens, and Frontier Regional High School, all received brochures with information about this new collection, all items borrowed were borrowed by individuals with standard library cards as opposed to special Teacher or Institution cards.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Members of the Parents Advisory Council shared that knowing staff were aware of issues relating to autism spectrum and had taken part in some specialized training was the biggest factor in making them feel comfortable visiting the library. Members of the Parent Advisory Council shared past experiences where it was clear staff members of organizations or businesses either didn’t understand autism or were made to feel uncomfortable by children on the autism spectrum. These experiences caused continued anxiety for both the parent and child when visiting new places, as they were unsure of what the new experience would be like and how knowledgeable about and receptive to their needs staff would be. Knowing in advance that an organization is knowledgeable about autism spectrum disorder and has experience working with children on the autism spectrum helps to relieve this anxiety. For this reason the library made an effort to advertise the project including targeted brochures to local organizations describing these efforts, reaching out to other organizations to help inform parents, writing press releases about the project, creating specific webpages on their website, posting project activities on the library’s social media pages, including information about the project in the monthly email newsletter, and sharing these efforts directly with patrons.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Small things such as placing the “Autism is Welcome Here” stickers on the front door and children’s room door, were regularly remarked upon by patrons as a noticeable improvement in the library’s service. Over the grant year, the books and DVD relating to the autism spectrum circulated a total of 155 times. These items did not circulate mid-March – May during the library’s closure, and only circulated through curbside pickup services June – September. As such, there is a steep decline in circulation of this renewed collection over the course of the grant year. Despite this fact, the library staff are quite pleased with the overall circulation of this collection, and with the positive comments they have heard from patrons praising the new additions to this collection.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Serving People with Disabilities; Autism Spectrum Disorder