Clifton Park-Halfmoon library gives 1-year update on Sensory Room

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In August 2024, the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library opened the Sensory Room, a space where individuals with sensory processing difficulties could regulate and unwind. Now, nearly a year later, the library has shared an update on the addition.

The Sensory Room is located on the library's ground floor, near the elevator. Although the Sensory Room is open to everyone, it is specifically designed for those who have neurodivergent conditions -- such as autism or ADHD -- or sensory processing disorders.

As a result, the room is outfitted with several sensory-stimulating features to soothe anxiety and stress, such as bean bags, a white noise machine, a color-changing light cube and fidget toys. It also includes adjustable mood lighting, noise-cancelling headphones and more.

Nearly a year later, library assistant director and liaison to the Friends of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library Jim Foster said that the Sensory Room has been used almost 1,000 times.

"I thought that it would be popular, but it has honestly exceeded my expectations!" Foster said in the update provided by the Friends.

The library's early literacy and programming specialist, Barb Reese -- who, according to the Capital Region Chamber, came up with the idea for the room -- said that the library has received a lot of positive feedback from both the special needs community and from parents whose children experience overstimulation.

"Many of the children look forward to coming to the library so they can spend some time in the Sensory Room," Reese said. "I have also been contacted by other organizations that are looking to create a sensory room and they are looking to our room as a benchmark."

The Sensory Room is available on a reservation or walk-in basis for library card holders for up to one hour per day. Reservations must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance and can be completed on the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library website.