Library Access Framework - Accessibility RA 2025

The Library began running Sensory Friendly Study Nights in the Fall semester of 2023. This [initial programming] was run once a week, on Thursday nights from 6-8pm. The Artists' Books and Special Collections room was used as a hosting location, and the space offered:

 •  Lowered lights and a variety of table lamps to choose from
 •  A selection of neurotools from the library collection
 •  Ear plugs and over ear protection
 •  A selection of different seating options and privacy carrels.

Due to the location, students were not able to bring food or drink into the space.

In the Fall Semester of 2024, the Library expanded Sensory Friendly Study Nights to now include two evenings - Mondays and Thursdays. We also moved the location from the Artists' Books and Special Collections room up to the upper level of the Library, in order to offer a greater variety of seating options, more variability in lighting, easy access to computers and a washroom, the ability for students to eat and drink, and a larger amount of space in general.

Due to this increased workload, we requested that one of the duties of the Accessibility RA would be to assist with setup and take-down of each Sensory Friendly night. Additional uties included: creating informational signage, replacing Library table and directional signage during Sensory Friendly hours, managing the overhead lighting, laying out a selection of our Neurotools throughout the space, and answering any questions that students had about the initiative during these times.

This assistance allowed the Library team to determine how much workload it would be going forward to maintain the expanded Sensory Friendly nights. The aim is to continue the initiative with assistance from Library staff. In the 2025 Fall Semester, the project has continued but moved to the lower level of the Library in order to provide more consistency within the Library's sound level designations. Using the lower level also allows for the large pendant lights to be turned off, providing a larger visual cue that the sensory friendly night is taking place.