Kim Priest, Director, Mary Cotton Public Library, Sabetha, KS (Population served: 2,500)
With a $3500 literacy grant from Dollar General, we started a collection of grade level books and items that are printed in Open Dyslexic font to encourage dyslexic children (and adults) to read for enjoyment and added other children’s books explaining what it means to be on the autism spectrum. In addition we educate anyone who is interested about converting digital books to the open dyslexic font on tablets and computers. The Dyslexic & Autistic Reading Enjoyment collection has been well accepted by the families, teachers and kids dealing with these situations. It is more fun to read grade level books in a friendlier font. These books help eliminate the stigma that comes when a person is working hard at reading but struggling to find age appropriate stories.