Come On In!
...the library is a friendly place for children with special needs
An ongoing goal of the Youth Services Department is to make the public library a meaningful and popular place for all children. In partnership with Niles Township District for Special Education (NTDSE), the Youth Services Staff has been trained to better understand and serve children with disabilities.
Come On In! offers specialized services, programs, and resources for families and encourages children with special needs to Come On In! and enjoy the library.
Learn more about how Come On In! got started...
Programs and services...
Programs
Children of all abilities are welcome to attend Youth Services programs which are free and open to the public regardless of residence. If your child would benefit from specific accommodations, you may inform a librarian by calling 847.324.3149 or indicate so in the "Notes:" field of the program’s online registration page. In addition to our schedule of inclusive programs, we also offer special needs programming the third weekend of every month. Sensory Storytime is held on Saturday mornings for children ages 3 to 7, and Rainbow Therapy Time is offered on Sunday afternoons for ages 7 to 12. Join us for some fun!
Past special programs...
- Lekotek Library Time
- Hanni and Beth
- Braille Buddies
- Come On In! Community Special Education Night
- Kids Just Want to Have Fun
- Musical performances by Jim Gill
- Preschool and Child Care Fair
- Stage performance by the ICODA Story 'n' Sign traveling theater
- A visit with author Terry Truman
Visit the kids' calendar and What's Going On? section of the Library website for more information about these and other programs and activities for children and families.
Social Story
Read the Library's social story about going to the Library. This short story, written from a child's point of view, is meant to help children learn appropriate social behavior in the Library. With short sentences and colorful photos, it is appropriate for children on the autism spectrum as well as those who are not.
Activity bins
Stop at the Youth Services Desk to borrow an activity bin for in-Library use. Sensory toys, switches, and manipulatives rotate monthly.
Adapted computer
IntelliKeys and BigKeys keyboards, switches, and a trackball have been installed on a dedicated computer to allow children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy a variety of entertaining games and activities during their visit to the Library. Choose from popular titles such as Old MacDonald's Farm Deluxe, Shop 'til You Drop, Switch It! games, Talking Nouns and Talking Verbs, and Writing with Symbols. Boardmaker is available for parents and teachers' personal use, and a switch interface allows a child's personal switch to be connected to the computer. Headsets are available for purchase at the Youth Services Desk, and print cards may be purchased at the Copy Center.
Appointments for adapted computer training may be made with Holly Jin at 847.324.3117 or by .
Class visits
Skokie Public Library welcomes regular, independent teacher-led field trips for all students. Please contact Holly Jin at 847.324.3117 or by if you would like to bring your special education class to the Library as an independent group. Independent visits do not include a program presentation.
If you are interested in bringing your special education class to the Library for an interactive, librarian-led program with stories, crafts, and activities, contact Holly Jin at at 847.324.3117 or by to schedule a visit. Please allow at least two weeks advance notice to allow staff to prepare for your visit.
Special Needs Collection
The Special Needs collection includes several types of library materials available for checkout:
- Children's disability awareness books and DVDs
- Boardmaker adapted picture books
- High-interest/easy reading level and Start-to-Finish books
- Braille and Large Type books
- TumbleBook Library, an online collection of animated, talking picture
books, puzzles, and quizzes adapted from existing picture books.
Available in-Library and from home for Skokie Public Library cardholders
Parent-Teacher Collection
- Resource books on topics such as Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, behavior, individualized education plans (IEPs), learning styles, legal rights, sensory integration, and social situations
- Videos and DVDs on learning disabilities, inclusion, individualized education plans (IEPs, Autism, and Asperger's Syndrome
See our Come On In! bibliography for a list of over 150 titles organized by topic (requires Adobe Reader).
For more information about Come On In! at Skokie Public Library, please contact Holly Jin at 847.324.3117.
