Services for Those With Autism and Additional Needs

Autism-Friendly and Accessible Services at dlr Libraries

dlr Libraries are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. Our dedicated team is working to improve library services for those with autism and additional needs. Here’s how we’re making our libraries accessible and autism-friendly.

A Welcoming Environment for All

We're enhancing our libraries to be autism-friendly, just as we strive to be accessible for wheelchair users, and for those who are visually or hearing impaired. Our goal is to provide everyone with a comfortable, engaging experience. We also aim to offer programming and services tailored to individuals with autism when possible.

Physical and Digital Spaces

We are making our library spaces — both physical and digital — accessible and welcoming for people with autism. All new library buildings will follow autism and accessibility standards. We also aim to design our website with the needs of people with autism in mind.

We’ve created social stories/visual guides for each of our libraries to support those with autism. Explore guides for:

• Blackrock Library
• Cabinteely Library
• Dalkey Library
• Deansgrange Library
• dlr LexIcon
• Shankill Library
• Stillorgan Library

Thanks to DAF funding, we have added features like a sensory wall in Deansgrange Library, as well as outdoor sensory seating and plants in several branches.

Friendly, Informed Staff

Our staff are trained to provide inclusive support for users with autism. We’re rolling out an autism training module developed by AsIAm specifically for public sector staff. Clear signage in our libraries also helps all users better understand autism.

Events and Quiet Spaces

Our events are designed to be inclusive, reflecting the diverse needs of our community. We offer autism-friendly and autism-specific events regularly.

Quiet Spaces: Deansgrange Library has a quiet room available at scheduled times; contact the library for details.

Quiet Evenings: Cabinteely Library (Tuesdays) and Dundrum Library (Wednesdays) offer weekly quiet evenings.

Collections for All Ages and Interests

Each library branch offers sensory boxes, including noise-cancelling headphones and sensory toys, available at the desk upon request.

Our Additional Services Collection (ASC) booklet highlights:

Books of interest to those with autism or sensory needs

Resources about autism for families and caregivers

Information about our Toys and Technology (T&T) collection, which provides borrowable sensory items for users with autism

Funding from Creative Ireland has helped us expand these collections and equip our quiet rooms.

Collaborations and Community Support

We collaborate with organizations like AsIAm and PRISM DLR to improve inclusivity. Recently, we received funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to expand sensory spaces. Stay updated with #sensorylibrary on social media.

If you’re a local teacher with an autism support class, we’d love to work with you to support your students’ library experiences.

Share Your Feedback

Your insights help us grow. Please send any feedback, suggestions, or observations to libraryculture@dlrcoco.ie with the subject line “Autism-friendly libraries.”