Webinar Description:

Are you interested in learning more about autism and programming and how you can help your library, and the entire staff, create a welcoming climate for all of its users, where everyone embraces positive, inclusive customer service? 

This one-hour webinar will present a condensed version of a longer workshop, and will cover:

• Background on the L&A project;
• An overview of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), what it is, what it isn’t, controversies, etc.
• Problems and issues with providing effective customer service to those on the spectrum and their families, and more broadly to the general public.
• Discussion of how we made the training film.
• A look through our website and ideas & discussion on how to make maximum use of the resources we provide there.
• Outgrowths of the project, which include implementing the strategies and tips we’ve presented, changes in staff attitudes, other related projects, etc.
• Discussions of the importance of empathy, outlook and the perspective one brings to this issue.
• Specifics on strategies and ideas for implementing effective library-based programming for the autism community at all ages, with discussion of the benefits of both specialized and inclusive approaches.
• The style is largely informal and the sessions always provide for plenty of interaction and Q&A

The Libraries and Autism project, centers on autism awareness, customer service strategies, and programming tips. It includes a training film and website (librariesandautism.org), and seeks to promote universal service and best practices to libraries and librarians serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Dan began the project in 2008 with his colleague Meg Kolaya, which has, over the past 13 years, had significant national impact.  It has helped to spread awareness and information to libraries and librarians, informed other training initiatives and projects and inspired others to innovate and share ideas on service, programming and community support and interaction. 

About the Presenter:

Dan is currently the director of the Fanwood (NJ) Memorial Library. Since he accepted that position in 1997 he has dramatically taken a small suburban library into the 21st century with improvements in facilities, staffing and service. He has served locally, regionally and state wide on many civic and library related committees and boards. In his current position Dan gets to do it all, from overseeing web development, graphics design and renovations, to public relations and fund-raising, all while being the go-to-guy for overflowing toilets and salting the front walk.  He is currently overseeing a $7M new building project to better serve his community with a new state-of-the art library to serve them in the future.

After hours, Dan continues his varied music career, now with well over 50 years of performing, singing, song writing and playing the guitar. He loves all kinds of music with a special fondness for vocalists (Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Billy Holiday and George Jones among others), bluegrass, honky-tonk, and acoustic roots country.

Live captioning will be provided.

This webinar will be recorded and a recording will be shared with all registrants afterward.

Register via Zoom

**All participants will have the option to request a certificate of attendance for one contact hour.**

All CLRC events are open to CLRC members and members of the Empire State Library Network.

All Attendees are expected to follow CLRC’s Code of Conduct