What My Local Library Means to Me as a Person on the Autism Spectrum

It had only been two years since I was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, and I had just graduated high school. I tried college, but it didn’t really work out for me right away. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t know what I could do with my life. So I started volunteering at my local library.

I had been a member of this library since I was about 2 years old when my mom first brought me for story time. So everyone at the library knew me pretty well, even though I didn’t really know them. I had never taken the time to get to know them. But when I started volunteering, things changed for me.

A whole world opened up for me. I had to learn how to take public transportation in order to get myself there. Then, when I finally got a car, I learned how to drive myself there. I was great at finding the books to pull from the shelves that people would place holds on. And then it went a bit further.

The people who worked there became my friends.

I learned how to be humble on my good days that I found all of the books that were requested and how to be OK with myself on the days that I couldn’t get them all. I also found books that I was interested in. Eventually, I even made them a picture communication book for nonverbal patrons! Above all, I learned I could do something with my life.

I could help others.

And although I now have a job and don’t have time to volunteer nearly as often as I used to, I still try to find the time to go in and visit my friends. And they are still more than happy to help. This is why I want to thank them.

Thank you to my friends at the West Chester Public Library. Thank you for providing me with a safe place to learn new skills. Thank you for understanding my challenges and encouraging me to overcome them. Thank you for supporting my goals and for helping me to achieve them.

Most importantly, thank you for going above and beyond your librarian duties.