Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library offers sensory inclusive items

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is now certified sensory inclusive.

The library offers sensory bags for anyone to use, including fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, dark sunglasses and other resources. 

The library also has a quiet room in the kids section of the library that plays calming music and allows children to dim the lights as needed.

“How can we be a place where people can come in the community, and be comfortable, be welcomed,” said Deanna Niles, a Youth Services Librarian at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

The library also offers adaptive listening equipment and scooters and wheelchairs for checkout, along with the sensory bags.

“It’s not just kids, it’s adults. It’s people of all ages, all ethnicities, it doesn’t skip anyone,” said Niles. “We want them to know they’re safe, they can be respected here, they count, they matter, we see them.”

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.