Kiana's Blog

Learning is a lifelong journey, and for neurodivergent individuals, sensory-rich, interactive environments are especially vital in cultivating that natural learning. Popular among children aged 0 to 12,  library sensory spaces  encourage children to actively explore their curiosity by engaging with their environment through their senses of sight, sound, touch, and movement (Cooper, 2020).

Sourced from Public Libraries Connect (2020).

I can’t imagine how grueling it must be for neurodivergent children to visit their local library, faced with an endless selection of books, surrounded by aisles of cold, metallic shelves in a dead silent library space, all the while required to use your indoor voice at all times. The whole ordeal can be a nightmare for children with sensory processing disorders and their parents. Thus, it’s essential for libraries nationwide to address and accommodate the specific needs of this population to ensure and maintain inclusivity for everyone in their community.

Image generated using Canva from the prompt anxious child with sensory challenges navigating the library.

As spaces that encourage both quiet meditation and sensory exploration, many rooms are designed with equipment that appeal to all. In addition to kid-friendly play materials, like bubble tubes, gel tiles, weighted blankets, and cozy seating, these spaces can also benefit individuals recovering from strokes or traumatic brain injuries, as well as those with dementia (Fun & Function, n.d.).

Sourced from Hartford County Public Library (n.d.).

Multi-Sensory Room. Sourced from Neuse Regional library (n.d.).

Sensory spaces aren’t limited to public libraries though; even university libraries, like those at Penn State, offer neurodiverse students with sensory impairments access to at least three sensory rooms across the University Park campus. These multi-sensory environments are designed to alleviate the overwhelming amount of stress and anxiety many students bear by providing a calming and relaxing atmosphere for them to experience through gentle sensory cues. With only 39% of students with autism graduating from college compared to 52% of the general student population, the need for sensory spaces within university libraries is even greater for students who often face prejudice and stigma (University Libraries, n.d.).

Penn State Berks. Sourced from Sensory-Friendly Libraries (n.d.).

References

Cooper, D. (2020, February 17). Check out Marsden Library’s Sensory Space! Public Libraries Connect. https://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/check-out-marsden-librarys-sensory-space

Fun & Function. (n.d.). Library sensory rooms. https://funandfunction.com/blog/library-sensory-rooms?srsltid=AfmBOorLWSJ083ylHNQAtoI9b_oVbpUF7sVhz6Nxc2wHxyFpZUjEnJt9

Smith, C. (2022, September 1). Good vibrations: Libraries supply sensory spaces. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2022/09/01/good-vibrations/

University Libraries. (2023, October 27). Libraries piloting sensory rooms as supportive spaces for neurodiverse students. The Pennsylvania State University. https://www.psu.edu/news/university-libraries/story/libraries-piloting-sensory-rooms-supportive-spaces-neurodiverse-students

I can’t believe I had never heard of the Human Library before this module; but, I absolutely love the idea and all the courageous people who participate in these events as both ‘books’ and ‘readers.’ Everybody has a personal story to tell, whether big or small or long or short; and there are many who simply want to listen and expand their perspective. It truly is a win-win situation for everyone. Libraries worldwide, particularly those in cities serving larger communities, should organize events like these for their patrons to actively engage in meaningful conversations aiming to challenge general assumptions, stereotypes, and biases that reduce others’ entire lived experiences to a few mere prejudices (Ray, 2019).

Sourced from PwC (n.d.).

Sourced from Human Library (2022).

There are many ways people can communicate and share their stories on the internet, such as through social media – notably reddit – but nothing beats the real-life version. Even if we were to assume everybody has pure intentions, some are better at lying or exaggerating their stories for attention and sympathy. But, the chance of that is significantly reduced during face-to-face settings, where anonymity is replaced with personal accountability.

Sourced from In The Loop | Columbia College Chicago (2018).

The Human Library’s long-term efficacy is more than apparent with the many participants’ surprising ability to vividly recall details of the event, in addition to recurring thoughts following months after the event. They were also able to increase their sensitivity to others by realizing that “inclusion goes further than acceptance or non-discrimination – it requires conscious action” (Arne-Skidmore, 2021). That is the precise sentiment our nation needs in order to heal the division tearing us apart.

Sourced from Unsplash (2022).

While this isn’t directly tied to the library profession, it still relates to information science. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out my favorite YouTuber, Peter Santenello, whose content has brought me closer to the raw and personal stories and perspectives of total strangers in a way that no news outlet ever has.

References

Arne-Skidmore, E. (2021, August 4). New study on the impact of the Human Library. Human Library. https://humanlibrary.org/new-study-on-the-impact-of-the-human-library/

Ray, M. (2019, April 12). Courageous conversations at the Human Library. Next Avenue. https://www.nextavenue.org/courageous-conversations-human-library/

It is not only necessary but vital for libraries to explore and embrace new service models that adapt to the evolving needs of their communities, shifting away from the outdated, conventional practices. One such model is the open library model, where library staff hours are combined with self-service to offer patrons greater access to the library by simply unlocking the doors with a keycard and pin code as video surveillance and RFID technology tracks their movements. This model has been highly successful in Denmark, attracting many happy loyal fans and even inspiring some to visit the library for the first time (Holmquist, 2016). 

Open+ Access Puts Library Staff Front & Center. Sourced from Bibliotheca (n.d.).

Swipe, type and enter. Sourced from Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly (n.d.).

Despite this technology allowing more libraries to increase their opening hours and stay open among widespread budget cuts, some locations across London have received backlash over safety concerns, such as disabled patrons being left alone and unable to access disabled toilets during unstaffed hours. Most of the contention, however, lies within north London’s Barnet borough, where 10 out of 14 libraries have part-time staffing while the rest are volunteer-run. As a result, Barnet’s council opted to use security guards for the entrances rather than raising staff hours, despite there being 33% less full-time working librarians since 2010 (Murray, 2019). 

Campaigners in Barnet, London, protest against cuts to libraries. Photo by Erini Rodis. Sourced from The Guardian (2019).

Furthermore, this video made by the Edgware Library in Barnet presents a few crucial risks inherent within the open library model. 

Although I don’t want to discredit the many benefits this model has created for patrons around the globe, it’s important to not allow it to be used against information professionals under the guise of budget cuts or unavailable funding. 

Because encouraging and inspiring staff members to view themselves as part wizards, geniuses, and explorers rather than mere part-time employees is how leading institutions, like the Anythink libraries, actually builds community through human connection, information, and engagement (Anythink Libraries, n.d.).

Anythink Backyard Concert Series. Sourced from Anythink Libraries Events (n.d.).

References

Anythink Libraries. (n.d.). Anythink staff manifesto. https://www.anythinklibraries.org/sites/default/files/imce_uploads/Anythink_Staff_Manifesto.pdf

Anythink Libraries. (n.d.). Anythink strategic plan 2018-2022. https://www.anythinklibraries.org/anythink-strategic-plan-2018-2022

Holmquist, J. (2016, April 6). Open libraries: Self-service libraries – the Danish way. https://janholmquist.net/2016/04/06/open-libraries-self-service-libraries-the-danish-way/

Murray, J. (2019, July 21). Backlash grows against unstaffed libraries. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jul/21/backlash-grows-against-unstaffed-libraries

Public Libraries News. (n.d.). List of staffless libraries in the United Kingdom and beyond. https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/about-public-libraries-news/unstaffed-libraries

The rapid technological advancement of the last decade has significantly transformed museums worldwide, reshaping how they engage with their visitors. Some believe that it has connected more visitors to museum exhibits and artifacts than ever before, while others disagree. 

As culturally hyperlinked environments, museums are some of the world’s leading institutions in utilizing incredibly innovative and emerging digital tools for enhancing user experiences.

For example, Tokyo’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation features the 6-meter OLED globe, Geo-Cosmos, to visualize near real-time changes occurring on Earth through geodata.

Geo-Cosmos. Sourced from Miraikan (n.d.).

In 2019, the Prado Museum in Madrid introduced its first 360-degree immersive experience using virtual reality. 

Virtual Tours. Sourced from Museo Del Prado (n.d.).

The Prado Museum | Madrid | Spain. Sourced from 360 Cities (2021).

In 2016, the National Museum of Singapore launched its Story of the Forest exhibition as an immersive, larger-than-life digital installation that would, along with a smartphone app, provide detailed information about the animated animals among the illuminated trees. 

Story of the Forest. Sourced from teamLab (2016).

Interview: teamLab. Sourced from TimeOut (2016).

In 2017, visitors to London’s Science Museum were able to immerse themselves in UK space travel history through a VR mission that reenacted British astronaut Tim Peake’s 400 km journey back to Earth, featuring a 12-minute video narrated by him while offering a unique view inside the Soyuz space capsule – an experience difficult to replicate without the use of technology (Charr, 2020). 

Moreover, researchers at the Melbourne Museum discovered that Bluetooth technology can enhance visitors’ experiences by (consensually) tracking highly engaged visitors’ movement to provide them with personalized guides based on their visitation patterns (Oliveira & Barba, 2018).  

However, opponents argue that although social media has sparked renewed interest into museums and garnered greater attention, attendance and revenue, it’s uncertain whether visitors are there to genuinely appreciate the art or make their next instagram reel (Daily Bruin Staff, 2016). 

Photo by Maria Mena. Sourced from CanadianArt (2017).

Consequently, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum created the #Startdrawing campaign to strongly discourage the use of cameras / mobile phones, encouraging guests to sketch the artworks rather than solely snapping pictures of them (Wanshel, 2015).  

Sourced from deMilked (2015).

References

Charr, M. (2020, June 17). How technology is bringing museums back to life. MuseumNext. https://www.museumnext.com/article/how-technology-is-bringing-museums-back-to-life/

Daily Bruin Staff. (2016, January 20). The impact of social media on museums, art. Daily Bruin. https://dailybruin.com/2016/01/20/the-impact-of-social-media-on-museums-art

Oliveira, E. A. & Barba, P. D. (2018, December 11). How does learning happen in museums? Pursuit. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-does-learning-happen-in-museums

Wanshel, E. (2015, November 23). Museum ‘bans’ cameras and asks guests to sketch art instead. The Huffington Post. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rijksmuseum-museum-bans-cameras-cell-phones-startdrawing_n_56532ff6e4b0d4093a585383

Better serving our communities and reaching everyone as @Michael noted in The Heart of Librarianship (2014) involves bridging the physical and virtual planes by “using technology to offer new ways to interact with the library” (p. 41). But before that, we need to explore resources that provide our patrons with trauma-informed care through “qualities such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and reflective action” emanating through everything we do (Garcia-Febo, 2018). 

Photo by Lina Trochez. Sourced from Unsplash (2017, September 14).

Libraries serving not only their patrons’ informational needs, but their basic mental and physical health needs too is, unfortunately, news to me. But reading about “Healthy Library, Healthy Life” (2022) and discovering the efforts librarians, like Cory Greenwood, have made at State Library Victoria to support their patrons’ health and well-being, worsened by the pandemic, is truly commendable. By creating the first strategic framework designed for public libraries to utilize globally, major libraries should follow suit and expand their crucial role as central figures representing and serving their communities and their rudimentary needs. 

Sourced from Medium (2022, December 5).

Hopefully, in the future, it will become the norm for librarians to assist their community members in distress by building library-health partnerships across various community groups and health organizations in addressing patrons’ “social connection, mental wellbeing and physical health” (Greenwood, 2022).

Sourced from Medium (2022, December 5).

Institutions enhancing this framework with emerging technological tools will be in a better position, “to support the development of healthy minds, healthy bodies and healthy communities, with a focus on prevention over cure, connection over isolation and collaborations that break down silos and amplify results” (p. 24). 

I absolutely LOVE this quote for many reasons; most of all is Greenwood’s emphasis on “prevention over cure” which I resonate with deeply. One of my many life mottos is to be as conscious as possible in every present moment; for doing so will inevitably reduce the number of mistakes and regrettable actions our egos are prone to making when we are operating within default mode. 

References

Garcia-Febo, L. (2018, November 1). Serving with love: Embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/11/01/serving-with-love/

Greenwood, C. (2022). Healthy library, healthy life. INCITE 43(6), 24. https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Healthy-Library-Healthy-Life.pdf

Greenwood, C. (2022). Libraries for health & wellbeing: A strategic framework for public libraries. Medium. https://hohkyo.medium.com/libraries-for-health-wellbeing-a-strategic-framework-for-public-libraries-ce6657b79af3

Stephens, M. (2016). Reaching all users. In The Heart of Librarianship (pp. 41). American Library Association.