Libraries and Autism helps lunch a new Autism Resource Center in Jackson, MS On Thursday, October 9, 2014 travelled to the Eudora Welty main brach of the Jackson-Hinds Library System in Jackson, MS to help cut the ribbon on their impressive new Autism Resource Center. Back in 2012 we met Charlotte Moman, the Assistant Director for Public Service there, at our PLA Association presentation in Philly. She was inspired by our work and has labored tirelessly over the last two years to make this center a reality. With the support of the Director, Pat Furr and a broad coalition of local political enties, both city and county and support from their Board and ohter local community groups, the center is 'now open for business. Charlotte reports its already getting lots of use it clearly will raise the level of service the library provides to the community. We were honored that they used the Libraries and Autism logo to identify the space. Charlotte deserves a big pat on the back for sheparding this project along - we need more like her! Thanks Charlotte. Libraries and Autism gets a visit from down under! On Tuesday, October 22, 2014 we were visited by Australian librarian, Jo Keading who is working on her PhD on library service to the disabilities community in her country. She's in the middle of a 3-month tour of the US and Canada to conduct interviews and take home (and take note of) the best that's going on. We're proud that our project was the beginning of her journey as she began to explore her topic and congratulate her for spreading the word in Australia. It was a great visit and we look forward to seeing her work as it evolves... Thanks Jo! A new 2014 re-edit of our DVD is available to reflect the dramatic increase in rate of prevelance documented since the project began in 2008. Although the basic idea of of the film, the continuing need for it, and the particularly the customer service tips and so on that we provide in it are still very much on target, some of the statistics we cited in the original version had become dated.Thanks to Mary Olive Smith of Flying Pup Productions (www.maryolivesmith.com) for her amazing work on the original film and this current re-edit.
Starting in the spring of 2013, Libraries and Autism will be participating in Project PALS (Panhandle Autism Library Services). Under the leadership of Dr. Nancy Everhart, Professor and Director of PALM Center, the project involves a partnership between the Autism Institute (College of Medicine) and the PALM Center (School of Library and Information Studies) at Florida State University focused on developing and improving information services to rural library patrons on the autism spectrum. The partners will work with the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, the Panhandle Library Access Network, the Fanwood and Scotch Plains (NJ) Public Libraries' "Libraries and Autism: We're Connected" project, Syracuse University's Project ENABLE, and others on the development, implementation, and evaluation of four interactive, multimedia, online professional development modules for libraries and will determine the impact on patrons with autism in public, academic, and school libraries. Three students will be supported to work on the project and at least 170 librarians will participate in the development and testing of the modules, which will be freely available to the general public.
PLA 2012 in PHILLY!
Libraries and Autism collaborated with the Bureau of Early Intervention at the New York State Department of Health and the NY State Library on March 28, 2012 to present a webinar to librarians across the state. Download the Webinar Powerpoint presentation slides HERE. In 2011 we assisted that NY State agency in reaching out to libraries with information on autism and customer service. A package of materials, including a poster, brochures, customer service tip-sheet, an early signs card, and a bookmark promoting NY State's new online autism resource nyActs: An Initiative for Adults and Children on the Autism Spectrum was delivered to over 300 libraries around NY.
BACK from ALA 2011 in NOLA!
The afternoon session, Serving Teens with Special Needs, was sponsored by YASLA and organized by the effective and energetic Michele Gorman, teen services coordinator at Charlotte Meckenburg (NC) PL. Vikki C. Terrile, coordinator of young adult services at the Queens (NY) PL also did a great job. School Library Journal was on-hand and provided this coverage.
New Orleans is such an amazing and inspirational city! Besides a great conference, some good networking and a brief but productive time on the exhibits floor, we also had a fantastic time seeing the sights, drinking in the history and walking and eating... and eating and eating. If the opportunity presents itself, don't miss a chance to see this incredible, historic treasure.
Need some recommendations? Try Mulates for some great traditional fare and Cajun music, don't miss a Po-boy at Johnny's on St. Louis St., breakfast at Stanley's, and for something more elegant, let Chef Susan Spicer (yep, it is a great name for a chef) spoil you at Bayona - great ambiance, drinks, food & service - can't wait to go back!
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 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
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.
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