SEND library resources

Library membership is free to everyone, whether you live, work or visit North Yorkshire. 

Our libraries provide accessible services to all. Our staff and volunteers support people to access information and services, either in print or online, and reading material is available in a variety of accessible formats including dyslexia-friendly to support children who have difficulty in reading mainstream titles.

Facilities

• all our libraries are wheelchair friendly
• portable hearing loops are available in all our libraries
• accessible toilet facilities are available in most of our venues
• changing places toilets are available in our Northallerton, Harrogate and Starbeck libraries

Find out about the services and resources available at your local library. 

Events/activities

Inclusive activities

Our libraries hold lots of inclusive activities for children including story and rhyme times, whilst some have regular LEGO clubs.

Several of our libraries offer 'relaxed' sessions to make parents, carers and children feel more comfortable during regular activities and one-off events. 

All children can join one of our reading clubs or promotions, with stamps, stickers, or other incentives to collect.

Relaxed film screenings

We occasionally hold relaxed 'More than Movies' film screenings at our libraries, with screenings aimed at families with children with autism. Follow your library's social media account to see what is happening near you. 

Resources

Books

To support children and parents living with SEND we have our 'Family Matters' and 'Tough Topics' book collections. There are also a range of fiction titles with SEND themes and neurodiverse characters in our libraries.

You can also enjoy a wide range of e-books, e-audio, magazines and comics through our digital library.

Stim kits

You can ask to use stim kits in our libraries. These kits include a variety of items to make our library spaces more accessible, particularly for those who identify as neurodiverse. 

From dark dens to fibre optic lights, our stim kits are aimed to suit a variety of needs. There are six stim kits which any of our libraries can access for an event or activity.

Bookstart packs

Bookstart touch 

These resources are for visually impaired children. 

There are two packs: 

• Bookstart Touch Baby - for 0 to two year olds
• Bookstart Touch Toddler - for three to five year olds

Each pack has two touch and feel books and guidance around sharing books with blind and partially sighted children. The baby pack also includes a BookTrust keyring.

Bookstart shine

These packs are for children with a hearing impairment.

There are two packs:

• Bookstart Shine Baby - for 0 to two years olds
• Bookstart Shine Toddler - for three to five year olds

Each pack has two books, a rhyme place mat (with babies signing) and guidance around sharing books. The toddler pack includes a bookmark showing British Sign Language and the baby pack has a BookTrust keyring.

Bookstart star

This pack is available for children aged three to five years who have disabilities that impact on or delay the development of their fine motor skills. Each pack has two books plus finger puppets for playing along with the stories and guidance sheets.

Dual language materials

If you wish to request a dual language baby pack, we will replace one book with a dual language book. Over 40 different languages are available.

SEND book packs

Free SEND book packs for young children, provided by BookTrust, are usually available through your health visitor. If you have not received one, please ask at your local library or contact us online.

Self care toolkits

Older children and young people can borrow our self care toolkits - these can be reserved and borrowed free of charge from any of our libraries. These toolkits are a portable collection of items, books and activities to encourage young people, aged 11 and over, to practise self-care and improve their mental health. Contents include:

• books from our Reading Well collection
• sketch pads
• colouring pencils
• fidget toys
• origami
• information on support organisations

Reading Well collections

These collections are to support people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using helpful reading. 

Reading Well for Teens recommends reading and digital resources to help you understand your feelings and boost your confidence. The books have been chosen by teens and health and wellbeing experts to help manage your emotions and cope with challenging times.

Further information

If you are a parent or carer and need support or advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) please visit our About SEND page.