Today’s libraries are making changes to make a difference!
June 11th, 2010As seen on www.Eparent.com:Â Public libraries have been around since the late 1800s in the US but in the last two decades or so, they have been evolving from traditional formats to meet the needs of all learning abilities. In earlier years, libraries as we knew them were fairly predictable, housing a variety of books, CDs and DVDs. Â But nowadays, libraries are proactive, making positive changes to meet the accessibilities of their special needs patrons.
 I visited two libraries within 20 miles of my home to see first-hand how each is making a difference and  leading the way and establishing a precedence for other libraries nation-wide. I was elated to witness the changes first hand. This two part series will first celebrate Bordentown Branch Library in NJ and be back with a close look at the New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Center next month.
 Nothing worth doing is ever easy- especially when there is no formula to follow.  When you have to take the initiative, take the lead and make the path for others to follow, trial and error is inevitable. Â
 But trial and error has not deterred the children’s librarian at the Bordentown Library in Bordentown, NJ, which is a branch of the Burlington County Library System. Ms. Beverly Jacob, head of the Youth Services  Department at the branch, has been working as a librarian for nearly twenty years and although overwhelmed about her library’s growing pains, she is undoubtedly pleased by the changes she has seen.
 When I walked into Ms. Jacob’s inviting children’s section, a large, colorful display caught my eye. I immediately noticed something different.
 Most of this section is not unusual; it’s the Special Needs Section.  There are, of course, books to help children with special needs, there are books to assist parents of children with special needs, there are video tapes and DVDs too.  But here, in addition to these helpful resources, are also more than twenty “manipulatives” on display.
 The term manipulatives is used to describe toys, games and instruments that act as teaching tools while creating fun for children. Examples of these include the “Wave Drum” which is beneficial for children with limited motor control since the “slightest action creates auditory and visual effects.” “Sequencing Sounds”, the sound and picture matching activity game works on recognition of short sound sequences by putting the pictures in order based on the sounds they hear. This addition means that the same manipulatives or resources utilized by special education teachers are available for parents to use with their children at home. All of which can be checked- out along with favorite books.  And each is nicely packaged with instructions enclosed to boot.
 I watched as Ms. Jacob helped a parent of an autistic child recently choose the “Echo Microphone” which is used to encourage children to vocalize. It was scintillating to see such interest in these manipulatives and gratifying to imagine the effect each will have at home.
 In addition to providing new resources at the Bordentown Branch Library, Ms. Jacob is coordinating programs for children and young adults with special needs such as music, yoga, ÂÂÂchess, and gymnastics.
 So, how can your library to the same?
  “There is so much to be done and so many directions that we can go in with this project. Fortunately, in 2007 the Bordentown Branch Library Association was named in a trust to use monetary proceeds for educational purposes. We applied and received a generous donation through the Nelchen T. Seivers Trust. The Bordentown Library Association wanted to help children with autism and as I began searching for materials I learned that there were so many other challenges that faced our children that I decided to expand the collection.  I have been extremely busy with this exciting endeavor for nearly three years!  There is so much available and I continue to learn more each day.”
 Toys can be borrowed up to one week, and books up to one month. Patrons must have a library card to do so. Even though these new items have been purchased with special needs children in mind, they are beneficial to all children, encouraging creativity, language development and problem solving.
 Ms. Jacob explained how she went about ordering the manipulatives.  “How did I decide what to purchase with the funds?  The initial process involved reaching out to our local schools. I contacted the Special Education teachers in the Bordentown Regional School District and asked them to show me what they used in their classrooms and what catalogs they ordered from. I also contacted the Social Worker in the school district to explain to me the variety of disabilities that children and young adults have in the area. I also attended the area’s “Back-to- School” nights advertising the upcoming planned “Special Needs Collection” and the following year at the same function, announced to the parents and caregivers the progress of the project which was quite rewarding. Since then teachers, parents, and caregivers have been utilizing the collection and their comments have been very positive.”
 As a result of her dedication, Ms. Jacob’s skills are in popular demand.  She was asked to attend the first annual Disabilities Fair at a local school in April, and will be speaking at the New Jersey Association of Library Assistants (NJALA) Conference in June. She has also partnered with the Family Support Organization of Burlington County and has begun to have their presenters come to the branch to present such parenting and special needs topics such as bullying, explosive behavior, IEP process classes, the Total Transformation Program, and others.
For more information on how to encourage your library to follow suit, you may contact Beverly Jacob at (609) 298-0622 ext. 209 or email her at bjacob@bcls.lib.nj.us .

