Polk State Lakeland Library receives grant for student sensory kits

Polk State College librarians are hoping a small grant will make a big difference in helping students feel more comfortable.

In April, the Polk State Lakeland Library received $1,000 to create a circulating collection of sensory materials aimed at increasing concentration, reducing stress and creating a more inclusive learning environment. This project was funded in part by a TBLC Innovation Grant, administered by Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Inc.

“The library is a student-focused, student-centered facility,” said Librarian Amy Austin. “We’re here to provide services and if we can fill a need they can’t get elsewhere, that’s great. We’re committed to student success and if this helps them decompress, that’s great as well.”

With the grant funds, the library will produce six kits containing sensory items. Each will include noise-canceling headphones, blue light glasses and fidgets. In addition to the kits, items will be available including lap-sized weighted gel pads, mindfulness breathing lights and visual timers.

“We heard from our students that sensory items would be nice for the library,” Austin added. “We’ll be able to give away some items as well like rings, fidgets, stickers and worry stones. We’ll have a variety of items available to use.”

All the items can be easily cleaned, Austin noted. The library hopes to have a soft launch for use of the kits by the middle parts of July.

“It’s exciting to do something out of the box and I’m excited to see how the students respond,” Austin concluded. “I’m grateful to TBLC for seeing the need and believing in us.”