The Massachusetts Library System is pleased to announce that we have contracted with ALA to provide our members with access to their live webinars.  These webinars are free to MLS members who register through our calendar.  Please do not register directly with ALA. Members who register directly with ALA are responsible for paying their registration fee. 

Please help us keep MLS sponsored training free for all members. If you are unable to attend the live webinar, please cancel your registration. A cancellation link can be found in your confirmation email, or you may contact Sarah Donnelly at sdonnelly@masslibsystem.org to cancel. 

Description

Move beyond “autism acceptance” and let your library become a place of autistic joy. We’ll learn how to evaluate books with autistic representation to decide if they add diverse, loving representation to your collection. We’ll expand our programming options beyond sensory storytime and learn how to connect with autistic families. And we’ll discuss real, complex situations affecting autistic families in the library and brainstorm ways we can offer our support and radical acceptance.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will have a greater knowledge of the needs and desires of the autistic families they serve.
• Participants will learn 7 key criteria to evaluate literature with autistic representation to determine whether the title supports autistic readers in their community.
• Participants will learn 8 strategies for adapting library programs to better support the autistic community and have opportunity to practice strategies for problem-solving complex support issues.

Anonymous feedback from the 2024 ALSC National Institute session of this presentation:

• “If there was a higher rating than 'excellent' for the presenter, they would deserve it. The material was useful and well-organized, the presentation excellently paced, and I was inspired to make a list of changes we could immediately implement in our library to improve service for our autistic youth.”
• “So much useful information! Best program that I attended.”

Presenter

Chelsey Roos (they/them) is a children's librarian with the Santa Clara County Library District. Chelsey uses their lived experience as an autistic adult and disability advocate to support libraries in creating truly neuro-inclusive, joyful public spaces.

Accessibility Information

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.