Open AccessTargeting Autism in Libraries: A Comprehensive and Collaborative Training Program for Librarians
Author(s) -
Ruth V. Small,
Suzanne Schriar,
Mary Pelich Kelly
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the international journal of information, diversity, and inclusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2574-3430
DOI - 10.33137/ijidi.v3i4.32998
Subject(s) - coaching , general partnership , autism , medical education , pilot program , library science , professional development , variety (cybernetics) , psychology , political science , computer science , medicine , developmental psychology , artificial intelligence , law , psychotherapist
This article describes the Targeting Autism program, funded by multiple grants from the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). This program was created to provide free training to the librarians of the State of Illinois on providing quality services and programs to patrons with autism. The State Library of Illinois leads the project, in partnership with Dominican University and Syracuse University and in collaboration with dozens of autism- related organizations. The Targeting Autism program has included a variety of educational opportunities—in-person annual forums, group workshops, follow-up individualized coaching, Webinars, blogs, and an online self-paced, in-depth training program for individuals or groups through Project ENABLE (Expanding Non-discriminatory Access to Librarians Everywhere) to librarians in Illinois and beyond. The program is a model for the development of similar programs both nationally and internationally.