Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control state that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research also shows that parents who have special needs children shy away from visiting the public library due apprehensiveness of other parents’ lack of understanding of their child’s behavior. When the mother of a young child with ASD asked if LCPL could offer programs that she and her daughter could attend, this simple request propelled the library to develop the Open Door Sensory Storytime that would reach hundreds of families in the community and would ultimately create additional programming opportunities for teens and adults. A challenge to facilitating this need was that the library staff lacked specific expertise or training in the areas of program facilitation for this population. A partnership was created with the Special Education Department of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) to provide guidance and training. In addition to this, relevant information and advice was given by ASD families in the community. To promote and bring the programming the library worked with parent groups, activists and an independent school that provides a learning environment for children with ASD. The Open Door Sensory Storytime was designed so that parents can network with other parents, relax and enjoy the program with their child and not be judged by parents in attendance.

From the success of the Open Door Sensory Storytime, LCPL has looked to other avenues of participation for community members with ASD, AD/HD and ID. LCPL believed it had developed a comprehensive program of services to teens, although found it lacked a plan to reach youth with Asperger’s. From this challenge, the Gamer’s Union was developed by library staff aided by a psychologist who observed that teens with Asperger’s would enjoy and benefit from using the library’s video games in the Teen Centers, but might not be comfortable entering the game socially. While the teens play games, the parents meet informally with a special educator who volunteers her time to facilitate interaction among teens and among parents. Once again the promotion of this program was aided by LCPS and advocates in the community. Families touched by autism are isolated socially, so the program serves two purposes- the teens have the opportunity to get to know each other over a shared activity and the parents are able to share their knowledge and discuss resources they have found helpful. The library staff has gained confidence by working directly with these individuals who participate in the Open Door Sensory Storytime and the Gamer’s Union programs as well as building strong rapport with the families. Camaraderie between library staff and these youth has encouraged the youth to attend more standard designed presentations within the library system. Most significantly the After Hours Teens Center, a weekly Friday night program for youth is now attended by many young people with ID, ADS and physical disabilities giving them an opportunity to practice social skills and problem-solving with diverse peers.

The achievements of the Open Door Sensory Storytime and the Gamer’s Union for teens with Asperger’s has generated the confidence to develop programming aimed at reaching adult community members with intellectual disabilities. Loudoun County Public Library’s Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) based on the model which was developed by The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is presented in partnership with The Arc/ Paxton Campus. The book club is an idea that supports the resourcefulness of all within the community and assists in the discovery and realization of individual gifts. It was established after a discussion about how many adults with disabilities are living in, but are not really part of their communities. The program offers bi-weekly opportunities, rather than an occasional outing, for people with intellectual disabilities to read and learn together– regardless of reading ability. They have the chance to be members of a book club, talk about books, and make friends in a relaxed, fun community setting. The Next Chapter Book Club members determine practically all aspects of the group, what book they will read, how much they want to read and where they will meet. The book club offers real-life examples of community inclusion, socialization, self determination and self-advocacy. Loudoun County Public Library staff participates as book club members. All of these programs, Open Door Sensory Storytime, Gamer’s Union and the Next Chapter Book Club have allowed the Loudoun County Public Library’s staff to grow and connect with their community in ways not dreamed possible.