Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)

Here's another event you don't want to miss! Family Action Network is hosting Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity , which was recently awarded the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction . I haven't read the book yet, but the advance reading copy is loaded on my Kindle and calling out to me. According to Mr. Silberman's publisher, Neurotribes is "a groundbreaking book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently." Does it call to you, too? Mr. Silberman's upcoming lecture entitled, "Different, Not Less: NeuroTribes and the Future of Neurodiversity" will take place on  Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 7:00 PM  at New Trier High School, Northfield Campus - Cornog Auditorium (7 Happ Rd. Northfield, Illinois 60093). The presentation is sponsored by the Center...

Since SNAILS began in 2013, we have hosted a variety of knowledgeable guest speakers to provide training and learning for our members.  What makes the SNAILS networking group unique is that we go the extra mile to record parts of our meeting and share them online to provide opportunities for professional development to those that can't be with us in person.  You don't have to be a youth services librarian to learn something from these presentations--library staff from any type of library serving any age group can learn from these guest speakers.  Whether you weren't able to make the trip to one of our Illinois library meeting locations, or you're from out of state and want to see what you can apply to your own library community, we have something for everyone! Here's a short list of links to videos featuring guest presenters: Giant Steps : Music therapist Kylie Kirksey from Giant Steps shares tips for using music in library programs to engage children on t...

    What is the "Light The Way" Grant?   The ALSC/Candlewick Press " Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved " Grant was formed in honor of Newbery Medalist and Geisel Honoree author Kate DiCamillo, and the themes represented in her books.  The award consists of a $3,000 grant to assist a library in conducting exemplary outreach to underserved populations through a new program or an expansion of work already being done. The  ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee  will select the winner of this award based on an application process. Special population children may include those who have learning or physical differences, those who speak English as a second language, those who are in a non-traditional school environment, those who live in foster care settings, those who are in the juvenile justice system, those who live in gay and lesbian families, t...

When: Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM CST Registration Information : Click here to register through L2 calendar Webinar Cost: FREE! The majority of library visitors are comfortable navigating their way through the library, approaching staff with questions and using available resources. But for some, these basic library experiences can be intimidating.  Presented by Noelle Burch and Gina Worsham, librarians from Contra Costa County Library System in California, t his webinar will provide participants with the tools to make basic, yet effective changes to their programming in order to create an inclusive library atmosphere for adults with developmental disabilities. The information presented in this webinar will guide library professionals on how best to create and implement a program at their library, as well as helping to identify community partners, perform community outreach and how to effectively create inclusive programming.  For fi...

  Wednesday, November 11, 2015  9:30 AM to 11:00 AM (CST) Cost: FREE! Schaumburg Township District Library 130 South Roselle Road Schaumburg, IL According to the CDC, one in 68 children has autism, and numbers are rising. As these kids turn 21, all of the supports and services they have been receiving under the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will no longer be available to them.  Programming through Partnership for Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome will showcase a dynamic panel discussion fea turing Kate Niehoff, Program & Outreach Coordinator fr om Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL) and Targeting Autism Forum participant . This panel will f ocus on a series of programs at STDL targeted on its adult patrons with ASD.  Representatives from STDL’s community partners, including the local school district, community college, autism resource center, and an involved parent of a...

 Sharing an invitation to a wonderful event! Institute for Therapy Through the Arts (ITA) Open House Thursday, October 29, 2015, 2:00-7:00pm ITA 1702 Sherman Ave Evanston, IL 60201 We would like to invite our colleagues in the educational, mental health, and medical communities to join us for an open house at our facility in downtown Evanston. We've planned an enjoyable and informative event providing you with many opportunities to learn about creative arts therapy and ITA. Come and take part in several interactive demonstrations of music, art, dance/movement, and drama therapies.  We will also be offering continuing education workshops throughout the day for school psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers and counselors.  Please sign up for which you would like to attend. There is a one time $15 fee if you wish to earn continuing education credit for these. Join us at this excellent networking event, whether you stay for 20 minutes ...

Come to the joint NWYS/CLASS meeting on Monday, November 9 and learn from librarian and certified ASL interpreter Kathy MacMillan as she provides tips on serving hearing impaired patrons in our libraries and basic conversational signs for a library setting. Kathy MacMillan is co-author of Little Hands & Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together , a professional resource for librarians, teachers, and educators that provides strategies for serving deaf and hard of hearing children combining American Sign Language and early literacy activities. 9:30 am—10:15 am NWYS & CLASS Business Meeting (NWYS and CLASS members) 10:15 am—10:30 am Break 10:45 am—11:45 am Serving Hearing Impaired Patrons 12:00 pm—1:00 pm Lunch* 1:00 pm—1:30 pm Tour of LaGrange Public Library Program Cost: Free for NWYS/CLASS Members and $10 for non-members *Lunch: $10; box lunch choices are: (specify selection in RSVP): Chicken Pesto, Tomato Mozzarella (vegetarian), Turkey swiss, Ham ...