Striving for Inclusion: Creating Welcoming Experiences for Neurodivergent Library Users

Libraries are for everyone, but not everyone may feel welcome at their library. How can you create positive library experiences for neurodivergent users? This presentation will discuss ways to make customer service, programs, collections, and library services more accessible for neurodivergent people. Leave with ideas for how to create a welcoming environment at your library and an understanding of how to support neurodivergent individuals across the life span.
Learning Objectives:
• Attendees will understand relevant language and information to discuss disabilities and neurodiversity.
• Attendees will gather at least five strategies to make their approach to customer service more welcoming to neurodivergent users.
• Attendees will learn at least five ideas to make library programs, collections, and services more inclusive to neurodivergent users.

Speaker Bio: Librarian, author, trainer, educator, and consultant Renee Grassi is an advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in libraries, schools, and communities. As a disabled and neurodivergent librarian herself, Renee has worked in public libraries for nearly twenty years, developing award-winning library initiatives that welcome, support, and include disabled patrons across the lifespan. Learn more at reneegrassi.com.

This project is made possible by grant funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan.