Poland has about 30,000 autism/ Asperger syndrome patients, the latter a similar disorder with milder course. With intellectual abilities usually up to standard, the communication disorders they suffer of may cause negative social reactions, and preclude them from library use. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that library staff are not trained in providing services to such readers.
The main project goal was to improve librarian competencies in the field of autistic reader service, and to overcome difficulties encountered by such readers when accessing library resources and educational and cultural services.
Forty-nine librarians were trained; tools helpful in using library resources were designed: an interactive map of friendly libraries, signage materials, special reader cards, a library tool-kit (guidelines and glossary facilitating library staff contact, surfing the web, other services), 6 training films, 2 booklets and 2 boards illustrating library resources and library behaviour codes, a board game motivating autistic readers to visit libraries, and a library staff manual.
Nineteen visits to libraries and 50 meetings with autistic readers were organised (for a total of 31 disabled persons) to identify issues with independent use of library space and to test all designed supplies. Two training sessions on working with autistic readers were held for librarians from all over Poland (49 participants); a downloadable content website was set up (service aids, training films, board game, manual for autistic readers and librarians). Forty aid toolkits were designed and delivered to 38 participant libraries. The “Librarian” was published in 400 copies.
Beneficiaries included 49 librarians and 31 autistic readers; materials enable concept promotion and facilitate librarian-autistic reader co-operation throughout Poland.
The Partner’s experience in working with autistic persons was used in meetings with autistic readers and training sessions for library staff.