The Pella Public Library has announced the addition of equipment and services designed to become a sensory-friendly library.
Assistant Director Chris Brown tells KNIA/KRLS News a sensory-friendly library strives to meet the needs of children, youth, and adults with Sensory Processing Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorders. Through a donation from Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy of Pella, two ‘Sensory Kits’ are now available for checkout at the front desk. The kits contain noise-canceling headphones, a weighted lap blanket, and a variety of ‘fidgets’ – small items that can be manipulated with the hands to provide tactile sensation.

Through a grant from the Marion County Community Foundation, the following items were also added to meet sensory needs:
1. 6 pairs of noise-canceling headphones
2. 22 Disc-O-Sit seats, which allow children to wiggle when sitting in a chair or on the floor
3. A children’s play tipi, designed to be a comforting, enclosed space to reduce sensory input when children are overstimulated.

The Sensory-Friendly Library effort is part of a continuing effort by the Pella Public Library to serve the needs of all community members, including those who have special needs.
A presentation by Elise Spronk with Kinetic Edge called The Foundations of Reading and Writing: Reflex Integration and Sensory Procession will be held on Monday, August 13th from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. Hear more about the sensory equipment available at the Pella Public Library on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.