Children and teens with special needs should benefit from a grant awarded to the Athens-Limestone Public Library by the American Library Association.

The association recently announced it would award the 2019 Loleta D. Fyan Award to the local library based on its proposal, “Socializing on the Spectrum.” The $5,000 grant will be used to bolster ongoing efforts at the library to cater to those with autism or other special needs. It will also fund an upcoming workshop designed to educate other librarians and teachers with special-needs patrons and students.

“We’re the only (library) in the country that got the grant,” said Paul Laurita, director of the Athens-Limestone Public Library. “It allows us to continue to do the outreach and the good work the library staff is already doing in the community.”

Stephen Wiberley, chair of the Loleta D. Fyan award jury, noted the library’s effort “will serve as a model for other public libraries.”

“‘Socializing on the Spectrum’ addresses the needs of an underserved population and builds on Athens-Limestone’s Spectrum Storytime program and on its relationship with their area’s chapter of the Autism Society of Alabama,” said a press release about the grant award. “The proposal has thoughtful plans of action, evaluation and sharing results.”

Librarian Amanda Coffman said the library will use some of the grant to secure more materials for the sensory story time, which is geared toward children and teens on the autism spectrum. Unlike traditional story time, which is held in the library’s activity room, sensory story time is held in the quieter community room with low light. It’s also much more structured.

“We have a picture scheduled so the children know when we’re going to say hello and when we’re going to sing our song and what we’re going to do next,” Coffman said. “I try to include books that I know the children can relate to.”

Coffman also tells stories in a calmer voice and children play with scarves. There are also fidgets or other items children can hold during story time to provide a sense of calm.

“Children who are on the spectrum can get sensory overload,” Coffman said. “It’s kind of like visiting Disney World for the first time, or that’s how it’s been explained to me. There’s tons of people and tons to do. That’s how day-to-day life is for some people (on the spectrum).”

Laurita said Coffman has become “the Alabama library specialist” on the topic of catering to patrons on the spectrum. She hopes the workshop on the topic, set for Sept. 13, will be enlightening to those who work with autistic children on a regular basis.

“We want to help other people learn how to do this,” Laurita said.

About Loleta D. Fyan

Fyan, who was president of the American Library Association from 1951-1952, bequeathed funds to ALA with the intent that “these funds be used for the development and improvement of public libraries and the services they provide.”

Fyan was the state librarian of Michigan for 20 years and “believed every individual, regardless of residence, is equally entitled to high quality library service and that librarians must be adept in using the political process to acquire this ‘right of citizenship,’” the release said.