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PROJECT NEWS: Meg Kolaya and Dan Weiss, recognized for their groundbreaking work with library service to the autism community, have recently formed Library Connections, a consulting firm that brings a 'real-world' approach emphasizing simple, 'customer-first' solutions for the myriad of issues facing libraries today. Whether it's customer-service or any of the full-range of traditional library consulting topics, they embrace a straight forward, common sense attitude informed by their vision of libraries and librarianship developed from their collective 50+ years of professional experience. The project was recently spotlighted in the online Lyrasis Newsletter Member Spotlight "Lyrasis Member Library Has National Impact on Library Autism Services". Lyrasis (created in 2009 by the merger of PALINET and SOLINET) is a regional membership organization for libraries and information professionals that provides access to more of the shared knowledge and expertise, innovative products and services, and customized solutions they need. Libraries and Autism: We're Connected is the winner of the ALA's 2009 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award! This national award, co-sponsored by ASCLA (Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies), the Keystone Library Automation System and the National Organization on Disability, is presented annually to a library organization chosen for its exemplary service to people with disabilities. It recognizes an innovative and well-organized project which successfully developed or expanded services for people with disabilities. From the Award Notification Letter: "The Committee was deeply impressed by your project and congratulates you on the production of this valuable resource. Your initiative provides a project model from conception to completion encompassing: State Library vision and funding; able project leadership; the expertise of the filmmakers; close involvement of autism professionals and families; and aggressive, skillful promotion." Kathleen B. Hegarty Chair, ASCLA Awards Committee We are proud to add our project to the list of past recipients. The Libraries and Autism Project was featured in the December 2008 edition of School Library Journal and in their Oct. Online Edition A grateful thank you to PR Newswire and MultiVU who helped us spread the word to thousands of local and national media outlets & 3,600 Web sites and video broadcasters. The multimedia press release is HERE On April 28, 2008 we were the 'Site of the Day' on About.com's Parenting Special Needs channel thanks to Terri Mauro The History of Autism by the Numbers Check out this brief, graphic overview of autism. Thanks to Jess at wallstats.com for the inspiration.

For information on how to schedule a in-depth training workshop for your own library or group, please contact us at autism@thejointlibrary.org UPCOMING WORKSHOPS Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, Norristown, PA Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 Autism NJ's Annual Conference Atlantic City, NJ Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster, PA - 2 sessions RECENT TRAINING WORKSHOPS May 11-14, 2010 Ontario Library Service - North 2010 Conference Sudbury, Ontario, Canada May 26, 2010 Upper Hudson Library System, Albany, NY Thursday, March 4, 2010 Highlands Regional Library Coop. Montville Public Library, NJ Thursday, January 28, 2010 Northeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System. Reading Public Library, Reading, MA Friday, January 29, 2010 Central Massachusetts Regional Library System. Bellingham Public Library, MA Tuesday, November 24, 2009 North Arlington, Lyndhurst and Rutherford (NJ) Public Libraries Hackensack Meadowlands Environment Center, Lyndhurst, NJ Monday, September 14, 2009 William Jeanes Memorial Library, Lafayette Hill, PA Thursday, May 7, 2009 Newport News Central Library, Newport News, VA Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Christiansburg Public Library, Christiansburg, VA Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Waynesboro Public Library, Waynesboro, VA Monday, May 4, 2009 Henrico County Public Library, Tuckahoe Area Library, Richmond, VA Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Middlesex Union School Librarians, NJ Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Exton, PA

We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of:

Adrienne Robertiello, founder of Community Partnership for People with Autism, who created our logo, graphics and customizable resources
Dr. Linda Meyer, Executive Director, Autism New Jersey (formerly COSAC: The NJ Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community)
Dr. Jill Harris, Director of Psychology and Coordinator of the Autism Center of Excellence at Children's Specialized Hospital
The Staff of Scotch Plains Public Library and Fanwood Memorial Library
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District
Video Director and Producer, Mary Olive Smith, and the great crew at Engel Entertainment

The Cooperative and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.