Libraries are not the silent spaces they once were. The children’s room at the Newburyport Public Library is a vibrant, colorful place that can occasionally veer into (happy) chaos. Noise and activity levels in a public space like the children’s room can overwhelm anyone, but for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or sensory processing disorders, they can be prohibitive. To try to mitigate the worst of the noise and harsh overhead lighting, we’ve put in sound-absorbing installations and added light-diffusing panels to the high-traffic areas. We’ve also added sensory panels to the walls, to create areas for emotional regulation. The idea was to provide visitors with a more soothing physical environment and in turn improve their overall library experience.

This project would allow us to go a step further and provide four types of sensory aids to any child who needs them during visits to the library. Sensory floor tiles promote balance and coordination skills; the colorful liquid inside the tiles can actually provide either stimulating or calming sensory feedback depending on the needs of the user. Weighted lap pads provide proprioceptive feedback, which grounds the nervous system and is great for kids who have a hard time staying in one spot during story time. Glitter-filled calm-down jars encourage emotional regulation and mindfulness. These jars also double as timers: caregivers can give kids the time it takes the glitter to settle before they move on to their next task, making transitions less stressful. Lastly, noise reduction headphones help users manage sound sensitivity and would enable children to attend larger programs that might otherwise be too overwhelming for them.

Libraries are for everyone. These sensory aids would be available both to neurodivergent children and their neurotypically developing peers and would further our goal of making the library a more welcoming place for all the children of Newburyport.