AMERICAN Libraries, the voice of the library profession and the flagship magazine of the American Library Association, published a full spread article on the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-CNMI State Library for their November/December 2024 issue to some 50,000 individuals and organizations worldwide. The article spotlighted JKPL as the recipient of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant one year later.
In 2023, JKPL was competitively awarded a $20,000 from the American Library Association Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant, an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. JKPL utilized the funding to transform a portion of the Children of Our Homeland Center(a.k.a. the Children’s Library) into a Sensory Corner, which includes sensory equipment, devices, assistive technology, toys, and supplies for children who require assistance for disabilities that may be physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional. The library officially unveiled the Sensory Corner at its National Library Week proclamation signing event in April 2024.
Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi shared her sentiments regarding the feature, “We are incredibly thrilled and honored that the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Sensory Corner has been featured in the prestigious American Libraries magazine. This national recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire library team, who are committed to providing our community with the best possible library services. It is truly amazing how our small library in the western Pacific is making a huge difference in the lives of our community is phenomenal.”
“The Sensory Corner is a space in our library designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for individuals with autism and special needs. It is equipped with a variety of sensory tools and resources, such as fidget toys, calming lights, and noise-canceling headphones, and so much more, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. We are humbled to be able to offer this unique space to our community, and we are grateful to American Libraries magazine for highlighting our efforts. We hope that this recognition will inspire other libraries to consider creating similar spaces for their patrons,” Naputi said.
“Thank you to American Libraries magazine and to our entire Marianas community for your support. Thank you to the Joeten and Kiyu family, our Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David Apatang, Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, Commonwealth Library Council, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Northern Marianas Library Association, our community partners. We look forward to continuing to provide innovative and inclusive library services to everyone,” Naputi said.
The full article can be found at https://shorturl.at/i77Zl
The Sensory Corner is open during JKPL’s hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; closed on Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
Every Friday Night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., JKPL hosts Sensory Night and invites families with children with autism and special needs/disabilities into the Children’s Library to enjoy the sensory wonderland envisioned by Team JKPL.
For more information about the JKPL’s Sensory Corner, contact Children’s Librarian Celina Foreman at (670) 235-7315.
Please enjoy your public library’s free resources by visiting www.cnmilib.org/.
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