Seated: Three-year-old old Daniel Back, behind him mother Caroline Back and left seated is Childrens’ Librarian Kylie Foster with members of the Friends of the Library.
The Rotorua Trust has contributed $6,000 towards the establishment of a multi-sensory room for children with disabilities at the Rotorua Public Library.
The idea came in response to a request for ideas from library patrons. Former teacher aid Joy Maskell used to bring a child with disabilities into the library, and she had seen how interactive rooms had worked elsewhere, so suggested one for Rotorua Library. The library in turn gained support from Friends of the Library for the idea.
A physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and Joy looked about for equipment to put into a room, and the combined efforts of the Trust, Friends of the Library and the Library saw the facility established at a cost of $10,000.
The room includes a range of activities aimed at calming down children who may become agitated or disruptive when arriving at the library. So it has proved, with children quickly responding to the devices found in the room.
The room is darkened so that the most can be made of strikingly lit fibre optic cables and tubular, artificial “fish” tanks reflected in a background mirror.
A disco ball has been adapted to add unusual light effects, and an image projector throws calming visions onto a wall.
Library Director Jane Gilbert says the children like the feel of the changing shapes and colours.
“We get many children in with a lot of needs, and this is just an extension of what we are trying todo so the children can enjoy a variety of experiences.”
As well as providing a place for children to go if they become upset, the room can also act as a lever in encouraging
good behaviour.
For More information Contact:
Jane Gilbert
Library Director.
Rotorua District Library
1127 Haupapa St
Rotorua
3484177 DDI