Sensory Library | Connecting for good

Coventry Sensory Library

Coventry sensory library is a free to use library of sensory equipment created in collaboration with Coventry central library. It’s designed around the needs of autistic adults but it’s open for anyone to use for any reason. You can borrow and try a range of different sensory equipment for free with a library card.

How to use the Sensory Library

We are at Coventry Central Library, located at Smithford Way, CV1 1FY
Find the sensory items in the display cases near the VR room/Resting Space. They are also on the library catalogue here
The display cases are locked - you need to tell the library staff if you want to borrow something
Borrowing is free, and you can borrow for 4 weeks at a time. The rules are the same as they are for borrowing books
You need your library card to borrow sensory items
If you don’t have a library card, you can join the library for free to get one

WhatsApp Image 2025-04-09 at 15.27.23.jpeg

Some of the items available to borrow from the library

Fidget Packs

Some people find that being able to move their hands helps them to focus or manage anxiety. We have a wide selection of fidgets for people to try.

Sense: tactile

Light projectors and lamps

We have a selection of different light projectors and lamps.

People can be under- or over- sensitive to light. Being hypersensitive can lead to sensory overload and avoiding spaces where the light is too stimulating. Lights that you find more relaxing can be used to create a less overloading space at home to give a chance to relax and take a break from the overload. People who are hyposensitive to light may be sensory seeking and seek out bright lights to get more sensory input from the environment. Some of the lights and projectors can be used to give more sensory input.

Some of the lights have a variety of settings and can be used to provide either more or less sensory input.

Sense: visual

Headphones and ear defenders

These can all be useful for people who are sensitive to certain noises, for example you might be sensitive to traffic or drilling noises They all reduce the volume of the noise you can hear but won’t make it completely silent.

Ear defenders reduce the volume of noise you can hear. To block out even more noise, you could play music through your own in-ear headphones under the ear defenders.

Noise isolating headphones use the physical design of the headphone to reduce background noise. The headphones can also play music. You can give yourself a more positive sensory experience by playing something you like through the headphones.

Noise cancelling headphones They use noise-cancelling speakers to reduce background noise. You can use active noise cancellation on its own, or play music through the headphones at the same time.

Sense: Hearing

Weighted Items

Sensory pressure can help relieve stress and anxiety, and encourage relaxation and focus. We have weighted lap pads in 2 different sizes and a weighted crab that combines 3 different textures for tactile stimulation with weight for sensory pressure.

We got these instead of a weighted blanket as they are easier to keep clean. If you find this useful, you might want to try your own weighted blanket.

Note: For safety weighted items should be no more than 5% of your body weight, and the person using it should be able to take it off themselves.

Senses: Proprioceptive, tactile

Balance Boards

Balance boards provide vestibular sensory input because you have to focus on balancing on them.

Sense: balance (vestibular)

Wobble Cushions

Wobble cushions are small round inflatable cushions, strong enough to sit or stand on. You need to engage your back and core muscles to stay on the cushion as it will wobble – this is called active sitting. It can be useful for people who need more sensory input, reducing the need for fidgeting and improving focus.

Sense: balance (vestibular)

Why Sensory Items?

Image Rebecca Thompson, City Council

The Sensory Library was set up by Alex Hilton and the Coventry Resting Spaces team. Find out more about Alex’s story and how and why they created the Sensory Library here. To read more about the launch covered by the BBC click here.

Lots of people find sensory items really helpful, but they can be unaffordable. We think they should be available for anyone who needs them. A library was a great way to achieve this.

Alex, who set up the sensory library, is autistic and writes about the benefits of sensory items for autistic people:

“For autistic people, it’s very common to experience our senses differently to non-autistic people. We might feel things much more, or much less, intensely. This can also vary depending on the situation – for example we might be more sensitive to sensory overwhelm if we are already stressed or anxious.

Our differences in sensory processing can mean that we feel overwhelmed and anxious when we have too little or too much sensory input. We can also feel sensory joy when we find the right sensory input for us.

We might need to avoid sensory input that causes us pain or overwhelm, or we might need to seek out more sensory input. Most autistic people are a combination of sensory-seekers and sensory-avoiders, sometimes both in the same sense (for example being hypersensitive to drilling noises but seeking out loud music). The sensory library items are designed for both - for example, the headphones are designed to block out noise (reduce sensory input) whereas fidget toys are designed to provide additional tactile sensory input.

Everyone is different and what works for one person may be different for another. We have tried to choose a variety of items so people can experiment and see what works best for them.

There are a lot of other groups who would benefit from sensory items. I only have experience of autistic sensory needs, but the library is open for anyone who wants to use it for any reason.“