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Cumberland County Public Library offers sensory kits and weekly playdates for patrons
Summary
A library staff member demonstrated sensory kits available at Cumberland County branches, listing tactile and calming items and saying patrons can request complete kits or individual items at children’s sections; related West Regional playdates run Fridays at 9:00 a.m.
Miss Kelly, a staff member at the Cumberland County Public Library, showed the library’s new sensory kit and explained how patrons can request one at any county library’s children’s section. She said the kits can be checked out as a complete set or as single items from the collection.
The demonstration highlighted several items intended to help patrons who find busy public spaces overstimulating. Miss Kelly described a "busy bag" that includes practice activities for fine motor skills—buckles, buttons, zippers—and counting and alphabet features for early learners. "This item is very versatile and good for that tactile or touch stimulation," she said.
She also described padded, noise-minimizing head protection meant to reduce background sound in a busy library. "These are just for minimizing the sounds that are around you," Miss Kelly said, emphasizing they are not music headphones but devices for auditory comfort.
Other items she showed included a weighted lap pad, called a "lap jelly," that provides calming pressure; squishy tactile shapes for fidgeting and shape/color practice; a sunglasses capsule to reduce visual overstimulation from bright lights or screens; and a liquid timer—similar to a small lava lamp or hourglass—for brief visual centering.
Miss Kelly invited patrons to use the kits during library visits and to request them at the children’s section of any Cumberland County branch. She also said the West Regional branch hosts playdates that incorporate the sensory items every Friday at 9:00 a.m. and asked listeners to "stay tuned for some other things" the library plans to offer at additional locations.
The library did not specify checkout duration, age limits, or exact availability at each branch during the talk; patrons seeking those details were directed to contact their local Cumberland County Public Library location.
