ESU Libraries and Archives Receives National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries

Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities

by Brian Osbourn

Emporia, KS (04/11/2024) — William Allen White Library at Emporia State University will create two sensory spaces for those on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent students, thanks to a $10,000 grant from an American Library Association initiative as well as an additional $10,000 grant from Women for ESU.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. The program provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award for the grant will help the library create two sensory spaces in William Allen White Library along with providing funding for autism spectrum disorder awareness events and adding current resources on ASD to the library's collection.

"We are very excited to receive this funding. It will allow us to create sensory spaces in the library for those who are on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent students who need a safe space to decompress," said Dr. Terri Summey, professor in University Libraries and Archives. "One space on the 4th Floor of White Library will be available to all students who may need a place to relieve stress."

White Library was one of 310 libraries to participate in round two of the initiative. One of the spaces will be available 24/7.

As part of the grant, ESU Libraries and Archives staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with the ESU campus community about sensory spaces and ASD.

"We plan to lead a campus initiative to bring more awareness to the challenges faced by those with disabilities and the special needs of those with ASD, in and outside the classroom through educational events and programming and update the library's collection of print and electronic resources on ASD and other disabilities. Part of the grant is designated to bring in speakers to help raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder to the ESU campus community." said Summey. "Our overarching goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space for students with sensory needs and to educate other students, staff, and faculty on disability awareness to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion culture across campus."

Studies show that libraries can be overwhelming to students with ASD with too many sensory inputs: florescent lights, sounds and noise, textures, colors and other visuals, and smells. Neurodivergent students are attracted to spaces that are smaller with less sensory inputs and reduced external distractions. Often when these students find a space, it becomes unavailable when it is occupied by others as shared spaces increase the pressure to conform to social norms and provide sensory distractions.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Summey at tsummey@emporia.edu, or visit https://www.emporia.edu/library for more information.

Since 2014, ALA's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.