VCU Libraries’ new sensory room serves neurodivergent students

VCU Libraries has opened a new sensory room this semester at James Branch Cabell Library. This type of space, which is becoming increasingly popular in academic libraries, is designed for students with acute sensory needs or sensitivities, more specifically for Virginia Commonwealth University's neurodivergent students.

"Sensory sensitivities can refer to experiencing a heightened or intense reaction to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, textures - and this heightened sensitivity often leads to discomfort, stress or anxiety," said Chris Parthemos, Ph.D., associate director in VCU's Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity office. SAEO is Cabell's partner in creating the room.

Anticipated users of the space might be people with ADD, ADHD, PTSD or autism. The sensory room provides a versatile study space that a student can tailor to meet needs.

"The design is intended to provide students with an academic environment that will help them center their sensory needs so as to be more academically successful," said Laura W. Gariepy, Ph.D., associate dean for research and learning at VCU Libraries. "This includes providing sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidance features such as adjustable individual lighting, privacy and sensory manipulatives like noise-canceling headphones and fidget devices."

The 150-square-foot room on Cabell's second floor was previously used for storage and was renovated for student use. Improvements include new ceiling tiles, paint, more electrical outlets and the addition of dimmable lighting and a combination of new furniture and furniture repurposed from other library spaces.

The sensory room was funded in part by the VCU Foundation.

Planning for the room required considerable focus on the needs of potential users. The libraries team visited the sensory room at SAEO and documented its furnishings. Research included meetings with other academic librarians through a national Sensory-Friendly Libraries Discussion Group.

"Finally and most importantly, we had several rounds of feedback-gathering with SAEO students, the future users of the space," said Joe Venezia, learning spaces coordinator at VCU Libraries. "We asked them what sorts of items, features and furnishings they would like to see in the room, and we made our purchasing decisions almost entirely based on this feedback.

"I can't think of another space in the library that was designed in this way, based almost entirely on student input," Venezia added. "Of course, we design every space in the library with the intent of providing the students with what they want or need, but in this case, we know it is what they want and need because they're the ones who asked for it."

Some items in the sensory room include:

• Couch and table
• A bean bag chair
• A task chair and desk
• Dimmable overhead lights and various lamps
• Fidgets
• Sound machines
• Tactile items
• Weighted blankets
• Stuffies
• Noise-canceling headphones

The sensory room is designed for individual use. The door has a card reader, and the room is accessible only to students to whom SAEO has granted access. The room may be reserved via an online calendar shared only with intended users. Users can make up to 10 reservations each week, but not to exceed a total of five hours per week.

"We will be closely monitoring use of the room, one of the few spaces of its kind available on our campus," said Loftan Hooker, head of access services at VCU Libraries. "We're not certain how great a demand we'll see, and we're excited to be able to offer this special study space to help our students succeed."

The availability of the sensory room at Cabell Library will be shared with key groups - such as student government, the libraries' student advisory committees and the Neurodivergent Support Group offered weekly by University Counseling Services and SAEO - for students to receive support, learn strategies and connect with peers.