Attendees will walk away with the knowledge on how to structure an event for the neuro divergent communities, what accommodations are offered with the resources available on hand. Often times families of autistic community members as well as neurodivergent community member are leery of spaces like the library because there is the perception that it is an entirely quiet area. 

At this program attendees will walk away with the knowledge on how create a welcoming environment for all of our community members, how structure a playgroup for neurodivergent patrons, what accommodations are offered with the resources available on-hand at the Meriden Public Library, and what additional resources could elevate the programming. 

This session will also have information on how to include the whole family so they can all participate and find library joy while briefly discussing additional programming options beyond a playgroup

Participants will acquire strategies into how to modify new or existing spaces to better accommodate the needs and usage of teen patrons. This includes consideration around furniture arrangement, noise management, and optimizing the environment for teen-focused programs. 

Attendees will explore the significance of representation in both the physical environment and programming, with a focus on inclusivity for queer and heritage-based initiatives. 

There will also be discussions on programs that engage teens on their own terms, such as homework help, video games, and popular platforms like Roblox, while ensuring the environment is conducive to the needs of ALL teens. 

Establishing an inclusive environment that accommodates the diverse needs of all adolescents will involve developing strategies to effectively communicate with them about the importance of respectful language and behavior towards individuals with differing backgrounds, thereby ensuring that the space is both safe and welcoming.

In addition to addressing educational and recreational interests, participants will learn about the importance of promoting the physical well-being of teens, including the incorporation of healthy food options in programs and the establishment of non-perishable food pantry tailored for teen use.

Attendees will learn about how Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians assist self-represented parties involved in court matters. We will highlight some of our in-library resources and databases. 

We will review navigating the Law Library Services’ website, including videos, tip cards, Connecticut Law by Subject pages, Research Guides, finding legal help pages, and a page dedicated to information and services for public librarians. 

We will cover some of the ways we assist people who are representing themselves in court cases, such as finding examples of court forms and sample language. 

We will discuss the services we offer, including our email reference service and chat. We will talk about how we can assist people with limited English proficiency and accommodate ADA needs. 

We will also touch on current conversations that are showing the possibilities and concerns with generative AI in the courts and its use in legal research by self-represented parties in creating legal documents. 

By the end of the session, attendees should have a clear understanding of how we assist self-represented parties and the services we provide to make the courts more accessible for all people.

The intellectual freedom discussion needs to go beyond the library profession and needs to be part of the community's culture.  We will outline the steps to make this happen.