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G2S Project Code: 2024-CA-94317
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2024
Grantee
LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES

Project Director
Director Name: Stacy Lieberman
Director Phone: 213-292-6255
Director Email: stacylieberman@lapl.org
General Information
Title: Youth-Empowering Sensory Spaces! (YESS!)
State Project Code: LS-CI-24-01
Start Date: 07/01/2024
End Date: 09/30/2025
Abstract: The Youth Empowering Sensory Spaces (YESS!) project created sensory-friendly spaces in four branches of the Los Angeles Public Library to support neurodivergent youth and their families. The library developed the project in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)’s Department of Special Education, occupational therapists, library staff, and local community members. Through focus groups, surveys, and consultations, the team designed calming, adaptive environments tailored to the sensory needs of youth with autism and other sensory processing differences. Library branches also launched programming such as sensory story times, mindfulness activities, and adaptive arts and crafts. The result was a network of inviting spaces that reduce barriers to library use and provide a model for community-centered service. The project strengthened staff capacity to collaborate with underserved communities, strengthened the library’s role as a welcoming space for all youth, and increased access to library resources.
State Goal: Goal 1: Strengthen the ability of California libraries to design programs and services for all Californians in collaboration with their local communities
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$100,000.00
$0.00
$93,245.00
$193,245.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Programming & Event Planning
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Sensory Item Aquisition
Narrative: As part of the Youth Empowering Sensory Spaces project, librarians in Los Angeles collaborated with community members, a consulting occupational therapist, and branch staff to identify and purchase materials for four dedicated sensory spaces. Each branch received a customized set of tools (such as soft lighting, tactile wall panels, noise-reducing furniture, weighted items, and calming manipulatives) selected to meet the sensory needs of neurodivergent youth at their location. Materials were sourced from vendors specializing in sensory integration products, and purchases were guided by both community feedback and clinical expertise. As a result, the sensory spaces are now fully equipped and open to the public. The spaces made programming possible and provided a welcoming environment where youth self-regulate, engage with library resources, and participate in library programming with greater ease. 
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 629
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
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: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 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: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 630 W. FIFTH ST.
City: LOS ANGELES
State: CA
Zip: 90071
Activity Details
Title: Sensory-Friendly Youth Programming
Narrative: Each participating library branch successfully delivered an array of sensory-friendly programs tailored to meet the needs of neurodivergent youth and their families. These included hands-on sensory play sessions designed for younger children, calming sound bath experiences specifically for teens, and art workshops that encouraged self-expression in a supportive environment. Programs were developed with community input and in partnership with local organizations to ensure their relevance and accessibility. Over the course of the project period, 20 public program sessions were offered (double the originally anticipated 10 programs) highlighting both strong community interest and the branches' ability to support ongoing, meaningful engagement.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 45
Number of sessions in program: 20
Average number in attendance per session: 15
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
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: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 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: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 630 W. FIFTH ST.
City: LOS ANGELES
State: CA
Zip: 90071
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: Librarian Training
Narrative: At least 163 library staff members across the Los Angeles Public Library system received training on supporting neurodiverse patrons and effectively utilizing the new sensory spaces (surpassing the original goal of 150), reflecting strong staff interest and systemwide engagement. The trainings were developed and led by Kira Bender, a licensed occupational therapist specializing in neurodiverse youth. Bender created customized trainings for the library’s children’s and young adult librarians, offering foundational knowledge on neurodiversity, sensory processing, and service practices. In addition, she designed and delivered specialized, in-depth sessions for staff at the four participating branches to ensure they were fully equipped to redesign their spaces to be more sensory-friendly, facilitate sensory-friendly programming, and respond to the needs of their communities. These trainings helped build staff confidence and capacity to create welcoming, accessible experiences for neurodivergent youth and their families, laying the groundwork for sustainable service delivery well beyond the project period.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 45
Number of sessions in program: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 0
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
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: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 630 W. FIFTH ST.
City: LOS ANGELES
State: CA
Zip: 90071
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 22
Agree: 38
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 3
Non-Response: 1
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 17
Agree: 39
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 2
Non-Response: 1
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 22
Agree: 27
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 12
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 2
Non-Response: 1
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 31
Agree: 27
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 2
Non-Response: 1
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
An important outcome of the project was the ripple effect it created across the library system. Even branches not initially selected for the project began exploring ways to make their spaces more inclusive, inspired by their colleagues. Additionally, the project deepened cross-sector relationships (particularly with local community organizations and schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District) which led to new collaborations and increased referrals to library programs. Another key finding was the value of visibility: simply promoting the availability of sensory spaces signaled to families that neurodivergent youth are welcome and supported at the library. This encouraged new users to visit who had previously avoided public spaces due to sensory challenges. Finally, the project demonstrated that inclusive design benefits everyone. While the sensory items were purchased to support the funded project and programming, the features implemented for sensory support such as flexible seating and play furniture were appreciated by a broader range of patrons, reinforcing the universal value of accessibility.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
These outcomes highlight the power of community-centered design to transform not just library spaces, but also library culture. The success of the Youth Empowering Sensory Spaces project demonstrated that centering the needs of neurodivergent youth results in services that are more welcoming for all. For future program planning, this reinforces the importance of co-creation with communities, community partnerships, and ongoing staff training. The strong interest from additional branches and the positive response from new patrons show a clear demand for expanding inclusive practices systemwide. These findings will guide future initiatives to integrate sensory-friendly elements into more library spaces and programs. The project also established a replicable model for community-centered planning, where listening, flexibility, and shared ownership are key.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
One of the most significant lessons learned was the importance of co-creation with the community. Rather than designing for neurodivergent youth in isolation, the project team engaged families, educators, and service providers throughout the process. Their insights shaped everything from furniture selection to programming formats, ensuring the final result was both functional and meaningful. Another key takeaway was that staff training and buy-in are essential. Equipping frontline staff with the tools and confidence to support neurodiverse patrons helped shift mindsets from accommodation to inclusion. By fostering empathy and understanding, staff became more invested in the project’s success and better prepared to extend practices beyond the sensory spaces. For other libraries looking to adopt similar efforts, starting with community listening and investing in staff development are foundational steps toward creating truly welcoming, accessible environments.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
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: youth, teen, neurodivergent