Most of us know that libraries aren’t quiet places anymore. You won’t expect to get “shushed” by an employee and you are unlikely to find a library that’s only frequented by a few regulars every now and then. Libraries have become bustling community hubs–and while that’s a very good thing, for some people it can be overstimulating. We’re all about meeting the needs of our community in the most effective ways possible, which is why…
Something new that we’re excited to offer our patrons here at the library–specifically at our Conway branch–is our sensory bags!
We have three bags catered to different age groups: children, teens, and adults. These bags aren’t perfect by any means and while we can’t meet everyone’s sensory needs, we have included some items that we hope will be useful for when you or your child might need sensory input or sensory block!
Here are some of the items we provide in our bags:
- Textured squishy balls for stress relief
- Calming, self-soothing visual stims for coping with sensory overload (one of them looks like a lava lamp!)
Noise-canceling headphones
- A pair of sunglasses for those with light sensitivity
Pop-It bracelets and strips
An Infinity Cube fidget toy to aid with concentration
More good news? You don’t have to be a library cardholder to borrow a bag. Just visit our front desk and ask for one to use while you’re in the building!
To watch this video and more on our YouTube channel, click on the link: Unpacking Sensory Bags with Mary
Looking for resources on autism, ADHD, and sensory processing, or books about neurodiversity? View our recommended reading list from our collections, including children’s picture books, tween/teen guides, and educational fiction: