Library renews programming for non-verbal community

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Municipal Library is continuing their efforts to provide enrichment environments and opportunities for those with exceptional needs.

Laura Henderson, assistant director for the library, explained the team is bringing back their Building Bridges program, which aims to serve those who are pre or early verbal communicators. 

“It’s been designed by one of our volunteers who said that she really wanted to work with children who are with exceptional needs … they could be any age from toddlers up until teenagers – really that they are negotiating life with exceptional needs,” she said. “We have seen a need for that type of programming in the community, and we have not had an opportunity to offer anything that served that group of people.”

Serving those with exceptional needs often also includes individuals who experience sensory challenges such light, touch, or sound sensitivities. 

According to Henderson, the program is unique within the local community, having not seen any similar services or activities having been made regularly available to the public.

“We ran the program a few times in the fall just to try it out and it was overwhelmingly positive. Families were saying that they were so grateful to have this option … and they were just so impressed with (the amount of) dedication to each child,” she said. 

Scheduling for this type of programming has not yet been set in stone at the library; however, the team does intend to see it continue with some regularity. 

The previous iteration of the program operated at the library was offered four times in the fall of 2025. Throughout February, two more have been scheduled to take place, Feb. 10, and Feb. 24 respectively. 

“It is a registered event, but we are happy to have drop ins come in. We know that sometimes it is hard to register; maybe they don’t know if they are going to be able to make it, but then see it and want to show up,” added Henderson. “The registration is nice just so that we have an idea of how many are going to be in attendance, but we will accommodate everyone.”

Rather than advertise the program based on age accommodations, it is more so concerned with addressing the needs of non-verbal, pre-verbal, and early verbal communication with the anticipation that families in the target demographic will understand the particular choice of language and potentially attend.

The Feb. 10 session will take place at 10 a.m. and the Feb. 24 will be at 4 p.m. The idea being to give any family the opportunity to have a time which may work for them.