It's Teen Night at the Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle. A group of teens gather around an ancient piece of technology, brought to share by a twenty-something tech enthusiast who fixes classic gaming consoles and antique music players in his spare time. The kids exclaim over the size, the features, and the antique deck that flips open to accept a cassette. "What is this thing?" one of the kids asks. The person providing this show and tell, an autistic patron who has been visiting the Mountain View library for years, taps the object of their awe with pride. "This," he says, "was made in the 1980's, and if you wanted to carry your music around, this is how you did it. This is a boom box."
This particular patron doesn't have the internet at home, and is deeply passionate about the library. A frequent visitor to many of the TRL branches in Lewis county, with the library's services he can research his interests in music and technology, check out all the CD's he wants, and interact with people who share his interests-- just like the kids at Teen Night.
Embracing Neurodiversity & Creating Inclusive Library Spaces
Timberland Regional Library’s goal is for anyone who visits a library, uses a service, or participates in a program to feel understood and welcomed. Many autistic and neurodivergent folks of all ages have sensory processing issues where some things are too loud, some spaces too bright, some textures and surfaces too grating, too hard. While most of TRL's libraries are no longer silent, whisper-only places, they are still significantly quieter than, say, the average shopping mall, so many autistic teens and adults find their local library a haven for their senses.
For those times when the library is a bit too much for an autistic patron, libraries like Salkum, Winlock, and Centralia provide Sensory Support kits, a backpack with noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidget toys to help refocus or provide an outlet for stimming fingers, and coloring pages.
Timberland’s newly refreshed children’s areas, typically noisy, active places, now house play structures that include one or more cozy nooks where an overwhelmed child can get a few moments break from the excitement and energy. All Timberland libraries have a chair in a corner, a nook, or even a whole area for relaxing and reading that also provides a space to take a break so that autistic people can enjoy the library in the way that best serves their needs.
Library Programs for Neurodivergent Patrons
TRL is well-known for our great programming, both on and off site. Several of our most popular programs, like story times, play groups, and book discussion groups have a sensory friendly version, where the atmosphere is a little more chill, the pace a little more relaxed, and the activities more appealing to highly tuned senses. All of these programs can be enjoyed by all kinds of different neurodivergent folks and their families.
Sensory-Inclusive Storytime @ Hands On Children’s Museum
Weekly on Fridays 3:30 pm, registration strongly encouraged
This offsite event is intended to support children and families who may have challenges accessing other library services and storytime programs. Stories, music, movement, and play in a neurodiversity-affirming setting for children of any age and their caregivers.
Thanks to the generosity of Hands on Children's Museum, families can attend Sensory-inclusive Storytime AND while there, experience the rest of the museum's attractions free of charge! When you arrive, check in at the ticket counter and let them know you are there for sensory storytime, and they will direct you to the room.
Neurodivergent Kid’s Book Club @ Lacey Timberland Library
Second Saturday of each month from 1:30-2:30 pm, registration required
This monthly book club for neurodivergent* school-age youth age 8 and older is designed to help them find community with peers and joy in reading! Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay nearby, but to leave the room if it is safe to do so, as a way of encouraging the kids' social interaction and participation.
Everyone gets a free copy of the book each month, provided with support from the Friends of the Lacey and Olympia Library groups, and there are plenty of accessible seating and sensory aids to help participants self-regulate during the meetings, donated by our partners at Sensory Tool House.
Sensory Friendly Playgroup at Yelm Timberland Library
3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 am
Enjoy the library for an hour of open play and social time in a sensory friendly and supportive setting for children (birth-6 years) and their caregivers. This event is intended to support children and families who may have challenges accessing other library services and Early Learning programs. Library staff will open the doors an hour early to let attendants come in. This is a collaboration with South Sound Parent To Parent
Neurodivergent Teen Book Club at Lacey Timberland Library
3rd Saturday of the month 4-5 pm - Registration required
This book club is for neurodivergent (ND) youth ages 13 to 18! This group's mission is to provide a space for ND teens to find community with their peers and find joy in reading!
Everyone gets a free copy of the book each month, provided with support from the Friends of the Lacey and Olympia Library groups, and there are plenty of accessible seating and sensory aids to help participants self-regulate during the meetings, donated by our partners at Sensory Tool House.
Finally, there are the resources – books, articles, stories, films, you name it that the Library provides! TRL has resources about autism in print and online, stories about autistic main characters and their adventures, and works authored, read, or performed by autistic people. Library staff have put together a list of great options for you here:
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with books for children that highlight a diversity of autistic characters and voices.
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with books for teens that highlight a diversity of autistic characters and voices.
View Full List
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with books for adults that highlight a diversity of autistic characters and voices.
TRL celebrates and welcomes the differences that make each of us unique. On your next visit to a TRL library, check out some of these services and celebrate Autism Acceptance month at your Library!
To find more information and local resources about autism and for autistic people, check out these sources:
