"Libraries and Autism: We're Connected” Video

The Fanwood Memorial Library (NJ) and the Scotch Plains Public Library (NJ) have shared a customer service training video to help library staff serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively and inclusively. The video focuses on what you need to know about autism spectrum disorder and empowers the viewer with specific techniques to offer more inclusive and comprehensive customer service when interacting with this growing and underserved population. Nationally, autism affects one in every 150 individuals, and in New Jersey, as many as one in ninety-four.

All libraries and other organizations are encouraged to explore the site www.thejointlibrary.org/autism, watch the video and make free use of all of the support resources available there.

The video was created by the two libraries as a part of the "Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families" incubator project, which was made possible by a contract with Infolink: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative. The Cooperative and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

For more information about this project and to receive a free "Libraries and Autism: We're Connected" decal for your library, please contact the libraries off-list at autism@thejointlibrary.org