The Arlington Public Library is expanding programs for neurodiverse adults. Many of the events occur at the downtown branch.
In May, the Arlington Public Library launched its neurodiverse-friendly and neurodiverse-focused adult series, in which it curated events and speakers for participants.
Through the success of the program the library was awarded a Special Projects Grant by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
It started as part of the library’s strategic plan, and the goal was to remove barriers and provide an accommodating space for people who have higher support needs, adult services librarian Mark Dellenbaugh said.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term, Dellenbaugh said. According to the National Library of Medicine, neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people but is often used in correlation with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and dyslexia.
Dellenbaugh said that during the process, they had to provide a budget of how much money they needed and what it would be allocated to. The total came to $25,386, which they were awarded in June.
The library didn’t want the programming to be exclusively for a neurodiverse audience because there are many things that a neurodiverse person might enjoy that other people would enjoy, too, Dellenbaugh said.
During the summer pilot program, participants enjoyed programs in which the library brought in expert speakers and events like a hobby swap, an adult show-and-tell and a silent disco. Further events and support will be available at the library after the expansion of the current program through the grant.
“What we’re really excited about moving forward is we’re going to build on the strengths of what we’ve already done,” Dellenbaugh said.
He said that to improve the program in the future, they collect feedback from participants.
“We also looked at our existing slate and looked to see which of these things could easily have been created for this program,” Dellenbaugh said.
The grant will be implemented in October, said Sharon Granado, library services manager over adult services, and will be used to add warmer lighting, hire an intern, train library staff, and purchase sensory kits, headsets, an accessible sewing machine and additional things needed to provide a welcoming and sensory-friendly environment, Granado said.
A logo identifies events that are accessible to neurodivergent adults. The library’s calendar can also be sorted to display these, Dellenbaugh said.
“It’s going to be a norm to have neurodivergent-friendly programs,” Granado said. “I think it’s just the way it is from now on.”
While much of the program is at the downtown library, the other branches have also begun to incorporate neurodiverse-friendly events and use the logo on their calendars, she said.
“We want to make sure everybody in Arlington feels welcome,” Dellenbaugh said.
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