Orland Park Library renovations include a unique Sensory Room

“What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other.” – George Eliot

The Orland Park Library is heeding the words of the English novelist by serving the needs of varying populations that visit public libraries—ranging from providing technological accessibility and periodicals for research, to offering enrichment classes and engaging activities for all ages.

Now, the needs of another population are being met at the Orland Park Public Library thanks in great part to Darvin Furniture & Mattress, a prominent business actively serving the community for decades.

The library’s Sensory Room, which officially opened Oct. 29, is specifically designed for young patrons who can feel overwhelmed by new environments, noise levels or any other types of high stimuli.

Sensory rooms or spaces can be found in locations that serve a population of kids on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorder, according to Brandi Smits, Youth Services manager at the Orland Park Library.

She noted these rooms or spaces also are an asset for children with attention deficient disorder (ADD) or attention-deficient/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) providing a private space to regain their focus. “This is not meant to be a general playroom for families. We have a play area in the preschool section of our library. This is specifically for children who may need a place to refocus their feelings before going back in to the larger library.”

Although the room is open but not being used just yet as patrons aren’t bringing their children for long stays due to the pandemic, Smits said she has received positive feedback from parents of children with sensory processing issues who “cannot wait to utilize the space.”

The inclusion of a separate room to meet sensory needs is rather unique, but Smits believes it will begin to be more commonplace. “Often libraries will have programs centered around sensory needs like Sensory Story Times that will have manipulatives and texture-based activities,” she said. “Sensory rooms are less common as the library needs to have the space to construct a room. We are so fortunate to have the space and the support of the board and library administration to make this part of the renovation.”

The library also is grateful to the people at Darvin Furniture & Mattress for sponsoring the room. “When we became aware of the need for a sensory room at the library, it immediately felt to us like it was a place we might be able to help out,” said Will Harris, Darvin Furniture & Mattress president. “I think everyone has firsthand experience, or at the very least knows someone affected by autism. Our hope is this will have a real impact on families’ lives here in Orland Park.

“Darvin Furniture and Mattress is glad we had the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives,” Harris said. “Darvin has been in business in Chicagoland for 100 years and we always have been dedicated to providing our customers with a great experience. I see this as an extension of our commitment and a very rewarding way for all of us to give back to the community.”

The concept for the Sensory Room was proposed while strategizing recent renovation plans and received great support from library staff that recognized the need firsthand. “The library wants to be able to serve the community beyond books,” said Joanna Leafblad, Orland Park Library Board of Trustees president. Families who bring their children to the library can utilize the room if they find themselves “having a difficult moment,” she said. “We want to make it easier for them to stay at the library.”

Modeled after Sensory Rooms designed for people on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorder, the Orland Park Library’s room is an enclosed space with a variety of tactile manipulatives, soft seating and calming lights.

“It’s a place where overwhelmed young patrons can go to take a break. This helps patrons level out their feelings until they are ready to continue using the library or head home,” Smits said, noting the items in the room are sensory friendly for those preferring fewer stimuli.

“I am thrilled we now have this room to offer to children,” Smits said. “There are times when the Children's Library can be unwelcoming to someone with autism or a sensory processing disorder. It could be the noise level in the preschool area or the size of our bookshelves or even the lighting. By creating the Sensory Room, we can provide a welcoming and inclusive environment to those who might have previously found it overwhelming.”

“I have a personal connection to someone with autism and believe it is vital to provide services that correlate with their needs, which vary from person to person. We need to be a welcoming place for everyone.”

For more information on the Sensory Room, contact Smits at (708) 428-5127 or bsmits@orlandparklibrary.org.