Heroes Unleashed: Implementing a Sensory Reading Program in European Public Libraries

Heroes Unleashed: Implementing a Sensory Reading Program in European Public Libraries is a collaborative endeavor involving public libraries in Lithuania, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Portugal. The project’s primary goal is to introduce a comprehensive sensory reading program, not limited to children with autism but inclusive of those with various mental disabilities and neurotypical children. The project places significant importance on training librarians, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively implement sensory reading programs, fostering an inclusive and enriching literary experience for children.

Acknowledging the therapeutic and inclusive possibilities of interactive, sensory-rich storytelling, the project integrates engaging activities and promotes a creative partnership between international writers and illustrators. Specifically attuned to the needs of children impacted by trauma in Ukraine, the project aspires to provide solace, promote social integration, and enhance literacy skills. Over the course of the project, 160 sensory reading sessions will be implemented across participating libraries, benefiting approximately 1280 children and contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and empathetic community through the shared joy of reading.

Key Highlights:

Inclusive sensory Reading: Engaging children through a variety of sensory experiences – touch, sound, sight, and smell – enhancing their literary journey.
Training for Librarians: Libraries will provide specialized training for their staff, equipping them with skills to deliver meaningful sensory reading programs.
International Collaboration: The project brings together talented writers and illustrators from across Europe, enriching sensory reading experience for children and families.
Supporting Children Affected by Trauma: The project is particularly attuned to the needs of children impacted by trauma, especially those in Ukraine, helping them find solace and healing through reading. Throughout the project, sensory reading sessions for children will be held across all participating libraries, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive, compassionate community.

Maribor Public Library

(Partner) Maribor

All projects of Slovenian producer

Foreign producers in the supported project

Siauliu apskrities Povilo Visinskio viesoji biblioteka (partner)

Lithuania (EU)
Lviv Regional Library for the Youth named after Roman Ivanychuk (partner)

Ukraine
Municipio do Porto (partner)

Portugal (EU)

Funded projects

Heroes Unleashed: Implementing a Sensory Reading Program in European Public Libraries

DATAS – The Data and the Sovereign

TALKING HEADS – Conversation with the art of the past

Libraries of Emotions for Good

GreenHeritage – Nurturing a sustainable future in the gardens of time

G-BOOK 3

PAGE: a Project for Advancing coGnitivE accessibility in publishing

DIGITAL on STAGE – Unleashing the Performing Arts Experience through Digital Innovation

OASis – Open Art Spaces in Synergy

Transport: Sustainable puppet co-creations for European young audiences

Danube Dance Alliance for Development of Contemporary Dance Scene in the Danube Region

Mind the GAP

Beletrina Digital

WOMEN interACT - participatory theatre against the double exclusion of women

TECH(ing) TALES WITH A TWIST for the children of the present

Drama of Smaller European Languages

MUSICVILLE – Green European Opera

Operation Nova

Kino x Games

FASIH - Future Art and Science Industrial Heritage

Cultural BEES

Is this us?

Climate Art Fusion Caravane (CARAVANE)

Moving Balkans

Youth Art for the Earth (YAFE)

Shadow Pandemic: Hidden Voices

Open House Europe (OHEu)

Third Stage

VERSOPOLIS – WHERE POETRY LIVES

December: Uncomfortable Beings, Azra, Best Imaginary Friends Forever

LINA - Learn, Interact, and Network in Architecture

Reactivating unused urban spaces through architecture and arts (ReCITYing)

Art Nouveau: a new EUtopia

Creative Industries Development Centre (KUL)

Web 3.0 Accelerator for Sustainable Cultural Tourism (Web3Tour)

Studiotopia: Enter the Symbiocene with Arts and Science (Studiotopia 2)

Bio Awakening - developing bio-art practices in Western Balkan

TestArt

GREENSTAGE

Connecting Emerging Literary Artists (CELA)

Transmedia stories of insularity (TRAST)

Female Digital Creativity (FLUX)

Planet Hope (New European Fiction) (PH)

More than a Book (MTaS)

Our Little Library: Through literary bridges to reading adventures (OLLLB)

Connected with Books (CWB)

Exploring Expanded Publishing: EX-Pub

Thinking Publishing (ThinkPub)

Novel Europe (NovelEU)

REVIVE

Temporama: Mini Slate 2023

Studi Virc: Mini Slate 2023

The 10th and 11th edition of FeKK - Ljubljana Short Film Festival

The 20th and 21st Kino Otok - Isola Cinema International Film Festival

20. and 21. ANIMATEKA International animated film festival

Film in Hospital 2.0

EU Youth Cinema: Green Deal 2024-2026

Cinema without barriers (CWB)

Literary Agent Platform: Capacity building (LAP CB)

Tramal Films Mini Slate 22 (TFMini22)

Vertigo Slate 2022: Chestnuts, Memory of Autumn Mists, OHO, Splashing around

Staragara slate 22

Our Little Library: Literary exchanges (OLL LE)

Testing Ground (TestG)

Better Live

Variola - Dark Spring TV series

SEMA

Paradiso

Leave the door open

The Big Green

The Long Way Down

New approaches for local media (NEWLOCAL)

Life Long Burning – Futures Lost and Found (LLB3)

Time For Live Art (LIVETIME)

Women Power in Comics (WOMCOM)

Movement, Digital Intelligence and Interactive Audience (MODINA)

Fortissimo (FF)

Spring Cleaning

Animation Festival Network