Ashley Cedeño, Racine Public Library
Who is your project reaching and how are you going about that?
This project was intended to reach anyone and everyone! We especially invite autistic people, disabled people, those with mental illness and parents and their young children to use the room. Essentially though, community members of all ages and abilities are able to use the room. The Racine Public Library’s sensory room is a private, quiet room full of calming toys and tools like bubble tanks, scent diffusers, tactile wall toys, sensory lights and more. It also includes a privacy screen and chair for nursing parents.
This project was proposed to create a space for individuals to meet sensory needs or have a mental health break, among other purposes. Providing this resource not only helps bridge gaps of a needed resource in the community, but it also helps break stigmas against mental health.
Has your project changed at all from when you started?
Yes. This room was initially intended to be geared towards children with sensory concerns, such as Sensory Processing Disorder; children with disabilities or mental illness, and children with other concerns such as a need for emotional regulation or sensory stimulation. Upon researching Sensory related topics over a course of a few months, our findings led us to open a room for people of all ages and abilities. Research shows that a space like a Sensory Room can be beneficial for adults with dementia, PTSD, and other mental disorders or illnesses.
What is a success you have experienced so far that you are excited about?
We celebrated our Grand Opening on February 7th, 2022. Ever since our opening date, we have had at least one reservation every day the room is available for appointments. I have also had many community members and organizations call me to inquire about the room and the use of it for their programs. This room is providing a service that is needed and many patrons have expressed their gratitude for a space like this.
Links:
Racine Public Library’s Sensory Room website page: https://www.racinelibrary.info/sensory-room/
Journal Times Article: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/watch-now-see-touch-hear-play-racine-public-library-debuts-its-new-sensory-room/article_219a96f2-c29c-5049-84e9-712435229c03.html
Racine County Eye Article: https://racinecountyeye.com/racine-public-library-all-ages-sensory-room/