By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • reporter@psci.net
The Lincoln Heritage Public Library system’s Dale branch has debuted a new Sensory Learning Room in its children’s section, near the MakerSpace lab. The new amenity was sponsored by the Dale Kiwanis Club, who held their January meeting at the library to tour the room and learn about how it will be used.
Shannon Werne of LHPL said the room will serve both as a venue for events more friendly to kids on the autism spectrum, or with other sensory issues, as well as a “calm down” area for younger kids. She pointed out that parents are often obligated to cut older children’s activities short because younger siblings either lose patience or feel overwhelmed. The sensory room allows parents to keep their older children busy with other activities while keeping others entertained in the separate space.
The Sensory Room has many hands-on activities for kids to focus on, many with soft, comforting textures that can help defuse anxiety or other issues. The tiny couch in the room can also be disassembled and remade into a house or fort, and the walls are lined with games, reading material with sensory components, and hands-on activities.
Featured Image: The staff of the Dale Branch Library and sponsors from the Dale Kiwanis Club pose for a group picture at the unveiling of the new Sensory Learning Room
Sponsors Tour: Members of the Dale Kiwanis Club held their January meeting in the library to get a tour of the new Sensory Learning Room
Many ways to learn: (left) The room offers many games, toys, and other learning materials as well as seating for children; (center) Shannon Werne demonstrates how to use one of the sensory learning toys; (right) A skylight panel hangs over the light in the room
