Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has today (Monday, 16 December) announced funding of €600,000 to support the provision of sensory facilities and equipment in public libraries, that can help individuals with sensory impairments, special educational needs and other learning differences, and those on the Autism spectrum. The Department funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of c.€200,000, giving a total investment of almost €800,000.
Sensory resources could include but are not limited to the following:
- Sensory library rooms
- Sensory play equipment and toys
- Assistive technologies
- Autism friendly signage
- Books and social stories
Announcing the funding, Minister Ring said:
I am very aware of the struggles some people face living with autism or learning differences. I want these people and their families to see our libraries as a safe and welcoming space for them, somewhere they can have fun in and learn, and that is why I am delighted to announce this investment of almost €800,000.
This funding aims to improve the library experience and services for parents, guardians and carers of children, teens and adults with sensory impairments, additional needs and learning differences. Ultimately, we are working to ensure that library services are inclusive, accessible and equitable to all, reflecting a key commitment in our public libraries strategy.
It is in addition to funding of over €190,000 that I recently approved for the provision of 21 Tovertafel Magic Tables in public libraries, which are being used by carers and people with dementia, autism spectrum disorder and learning differences.
The Department has allocated €20,000 to each local authority which will be co-funded with a further €6,600. Proposals will be accepted early in the New Year from each local authority setting out what facilities or equipment it will be providing. It is expected that the new services will be available in the libraries in mid-2020.
Minister Ring added:
Our public libraries play a very important role in assisting in the delivery of additional educational services to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals and this funding will increase their capacity to continue this great work.
We already have some wonderful examples of our libraries reaching out to these communities. I must commend Limerick County Council for the fantastic Sensory Room, which they opened in Watch House Cross Library, which recently won the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Award for the Best Library Service. Another great initiative is Kilkenny County Council, Kerry County Council and Kildare County Council’s Toys, Technology and Training initiative, which provides specialised collections of sensory toys and assistive technology for borrowing.
The Minister concluded:
I am delighted to be supported in this initiative by Adam Harris from AsIAm, Ireland's National Autism Charity & Advocacy Organisation. AsIAm is doing great work providing information about Autism, giving a platform for people with Autism to share their stories and views, and also providing a strong voice for the concerns of the community. I hope that this funding will make a real difference to the people Adam advocates for.
Notes to editor:
The new public library strategy, Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities, was launched in 2018. The strategy seeks to improve access, use and visibility of the library as a community hub and develop it as a focal point for community development.
Our Public Libraries 2022– Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities
The strategy has three Strategic Programmes that reflect the core functions of the public library service –
- Reading and Literacy,
- Information and Learning, and
- Community and Culture.
It focuses on removing barriers to access and improving accessibility for all. The library service will draw on capacity across the library network to support and facilitate services provided by other sectors, developing existing relationships and building new ones to support delivery of integrated public services.
A sensory library or an Autism friendly library caters for children, young people and adults with learning differences, autism spectrum, dementia and other health conditions.
ith learning differences, autism spectrum, dementia and other health conditions.