School

School libraries are excellent places in schools to offer sensory refuges to students!  

Many already serve as safe spaces for students from marginalized groups, including neurodivergent students seeking a quiet place away from the noise, bustling crowds, massive social input, and bullying that often characterize cafeterias and other common areas (Merga, 2025; Wittmann and Fisher-Allison, 2020).  Building on this existing strength through the creation of calming corners, sensory books and multimedia, and sensory storytimes can go even further in helping students self-regulate, nurture their emotional wellness, and find environments that allow them to learn in ways that are best for them (Lutz, 2020; Waring, 2012).

Start your sensory projects today by browsing though the examples from fellow libraries in the references below and the profiles in the left sidebar! [We don't yet have school library examples, please check back soon and consider submitting a profile of your sensory project if you're a school librarian!]

References

Lutz, M. C. (2020). Developing an inclusive collection with sensory and audiobooks. Canadian School Libraries Journal, 4(3).  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/03400352251318368

Merga, M. K. (2025). The library as a safe space in contemporary schools: An international study. IFLA Journal, 51(4), 1089-1097.

Waring, A.  (2012).  Sensory storytime: A (brief) how-to guide.  ALSC Blog.  https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/03/sensory-storytime-a-brief-how-to-guide/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20truly%20make,7)%20Book

Wittmann, P., & Fisher-Allison, N. (2020). Intentionally creating a safe space for all: The school library as refuge. Knowledge Quest, 48(3).  https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/tb09jc90z