Functional for All

The article that I read was from the August/September 2013 Library Media Connection Magazine. Andrea Bress wrote the article “Making Your School Library More Functional to Individuals with Autism.” I chose this resource because I wanted to expand my exploration of sources to locate information. The reason I chose this article is because more and more students are being diagnosed within the spectrum of Autism and as a future librarian I want to be able to serve all my patrons to the best of my ability.

Adjustments and flexibility are the two key components that I took out of the article. The article shared a student’s point of view in a sidebar area of the many good qualities of the library and how they feel while using the library. Also, in the article it talked about how libraries can be a positive place for students that have autism since libraries have rules, typical layouts, use the Dewey Decimal System, have technology and are quiet spaces.

I really enjoyed this resource as the article was direct and to the point. I feel that in this face paced and multi-tasking world we live in reading short and insightful articles are more beneficial than long drawn out studies. How do I see myself using this information? When I finally make the leap from the classroom to the librarian role, I will think about having areas for the students that are less distracting visually, provide shelf check-out (if possible) and be aware that all students are different learners in the classroom which trickles into the library too.