Accessibility
As a community engagement librarian, much of my role is dedicated to making the library welcoming for patrons with all physical and cognitive abilities. I also work to ensure that we offer neurodiverse affirming programs and spaces. Community partnerships have informed our practices and expanded our reach through public awareness and advocacy.
Social Stories & Welcome Visits
In order to better serve neurodivergent patrons and those with all abilities, I created social stories for children, teens, and adults. They are available on the library’s accessibility page and help patrons know what to expect when they visit the library. I also introduced Meet Your Library Welcome Visits. Families and groups can schedule a visit with a librarian to learn about programs and services. Group visits include activities and behind-the-scenes tours. This program has served patrons ages six - adulthood and has established the library as a welcoming space for all community members.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, 2023 - present
Through a partnership with Illinois’s NSSRA, Wilmette Library regularly hosts group visits for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. The partnership has informed our accessibility practices and resources and members of the NSSRA assisted with the library’s Adult Social Story, a video that helps patrons plan their visit to the library. NSSRA staff have also guided the library’s use of Personal Communication Symbols as visual tools in programs and spaces.
Kick Start Therapy Network, 2022 - present
Kick Start is a multi-disciplinary clinic and preschool that provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental healthcare for children ages 18 months through highschool. Through our partnership, we provide a teacher account, materials delivery, and storytime. Kick Start speech pathologists visit the library once a quarter for a family program called Magnificent Minds, which fosters family connections and celebrates neurodiversity.
Social Stories & Welcome Visits
In order to better serve neurodivergent patrons and those with all abilities, I created social stories for children, teens, and adults. They are available on the library’s accessibility page and help patrons know what to expect when they visit the library. I also introduced Meet Your Library Welcome Visits. Families and groups can schedule a visit with a librarian to learn about programs and services. Group visits include activities and behind-the-scenes tours. This program has served patrons ages six - adulthood and has established the library as a welcoming space for all community members.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, 2023 - present
Through a partnership with Illinois’s NSSRA, Wilmette Library regularly hosts group visits for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. The partnership has informed our accessibility practices and resources and members of the NSSRA assisted with the library’s Adult Social Story, a video that helps patrons plan their visit to the library. NSSRA staff have also guided the library’s use of Personal Communication Symbols as visual tools in programs and spaces.
Kick Start Therapy Network, 2022 - present
Kick Start is a multi-disciplinary clinic and preschool that provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental healthcare for children ages 18 months through highschool. Through our partnership, we provide a teacher account, materials delivery, and storytime. Kick Start speech pathologists visit the library once a quarter for a family program called Magnificent Minds, which fosters family connections and celebrates neurodiversity.
