UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of its commitment to fostering student wellness and academic success, Penn State University Libraries now offers a Virtual Sensory Room to complement their physical sensory rooms and kits at several campus locations.
A joint effort of the Libraries’ Sensory-Friendly Libraries Initiative and its Diversity Community of Advocacy (DCOA) Accessibility Working Group, the Virtual Sensory Room aims to empower students with digital tools to help them manage overstimulation, relieve stress and sharpen focus.
“While especially designed for neurodivergent students, the Virtual Sensory Room can be used by any students who need de-stressing help or a wellness boost, especially during busy times such as finals week,” said Brett Spencer, reference and instruction librarian at Berks Thun Library at Penn State Berks, and a member of both the Sensory-Friendly Libraries team and the DCOA committee. Spencer has a son with autism who benefits from sensory therapies.
Some of the resources available in the Virtual Sensory Room include:
- Fidgets and doodles students can do on their phones to relieve nervousness
- Visual stimulation videos that can offer a break from stressful thoughts
- White noise simulators that can sharpen concentration while reading
Several other project members commented on how students can personalize their experiences as well as support the health of fellow students through the Virtual Sensory Room.
“Whether students just need a short break from studying or have deeper needs with sensory overload or stress that can be met by sensory activities, everyone is welcome in this digital space,” said Emily Rimland, head of Library Learning Services.
“People have their own individual ways of managing stress and anxiety,” said Dawn Amsberry, reference and instruction librarian. “The Virtual Sensory Room showcases a variety of tools and allows students to select those that best meet their own personal sensory needs.”
Eliza Donne, multimedia coordinator at Harrell Health Sciences Library, Penn State Hershey, said, “Another benefit of the Virtual Sensory Room is that it’s a collective resource; students can add resources they have found and comment on what has worked best for them. In this way, it helps build a sense of community around prioritizing mental health.”
The room is designed from a neurodiversity perspective, with a focus on the needs of students with autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress syndrome. It also serves as a collection of general wellness resources for any students coping with stress or anxiety. For an overview of the concept of sensory rooms, visit the Sensory-Friendly Libraries Initiative website.
“Sensory health and mental wellness are infinitely important and personalized,” said Spencer. “We hope to destigmatize stimming, fidgeting and other destress techniques so that all will feel comfortable meeting their sensory needs.”
For more information, or to provide comments or feedback, please reach out to the Sensory-Friendly Libraries team at librarysensoryspaces@PennStateOffice365.onmicrosoft.com.