Envisioning an ‘Autistic Book Club’

As part of my studies of Action Research in libraries, I want to look into creating an “Autistic Book Club” through my public library. The problem that this would address for me is actually very personal: it’s that as an autistic person, I face challenges when trying to socialize with other people.

This problem with socialization isn’t just unique to me; it is shared by other autistic people. “Autistic people have different ways of being than allistic (non-autistic people), and those include communication and social skills. Because neurotypical standards dominate society, autistic people may experience difficulty socializing and isolation as a result” (Bay Area Autism Collective, n.d., para. 2).

At the same time, there are misperceptions and stereotyping about autistic people even within the field of librarianship. Conversations in “the library world” often focus on the challenges that autistic patrons pose to libraries (Spectrum, 2017). “Much less common, it seems, are discussions of the positive contributions that autistic people can make to a library, as library users but also as front-line librarians” (Spectrum, 2017, para. 1).

I encountered evidence of these misperceptions first-hand when speaking to a librarian at a public library in a community where I was visiting. I mentioned my interest in creating an Autistic Book Club — specifically reading books by autistic authors that centered autistic characters — and in response the librarian said that “sounded sad.”

My local public library offers online book clubs centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ perspectives. My goal would be to add an “Autistic Book Club” to those existing clubs. One approach might be to reach out to a local group, such as the Bay Area Autism Collective, to possibly co-host the online book club along with librarians from my public library.

And the timing is ideal: A story showed up this week among my Google Alerts concerning a “Late-identified Neurodivergent Book Club” offered through Cincinnati Public Library (BieryGolick, 2025).

“The club has a special eye toward those discovering their ADHD or autism in adulthood, but we celebrate all neurodiversity.

“Join us as we explore a range of books, sharing insights, experiences, and perspectives in an understanding and inclusive environment. Whether you’re seeking information, social connections, or simply the joy of reading and sharing with like-minded individuals, our club is an open space for everyone” (Cincinnati Public Library, n.d.).

An “Autistic Book Club” would improve upon social opportunities for autistic people by allowing us to read and discuss a book that centers an autistic main character or addresses a social issue relevant to the autistic community, and it would give librarians, whether autistic or otherwise, a chance to interact with autistic patrons who are co-leading the book club.

The book club could also fall under participatory action research. Librarians and club participants could explore ways that autistic people are portrayed in fiction and analyze the implications of these portrayals for autistic people in real life.

References:
Bay Area Autism Collective. (n.d.) Support groups. https://www.bayareaautismcollective.org/supportgroups

BieryGolick, K. (2025, Feb. 7). ‘It feels like coming home’: Inside the Cincinnati library’s book club for people with ADHD and autism. Local news: Finding solutions. WCPO Cincinnati. https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/finding-solutions/it-feels-like-coming-home-inside-the-cincinnati-librarys-book-club-for-people-with-adhd-and-autism

Cincinnati Public Library. (n.d.). Late-identified Neurodivergent Book Club [Calendar listing for a meeting on Feb. 22, 2025]. Events. Cincinnati Public Library. https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/673b673174596c36004813f6

Spectrum, J. (2017, April 16). Perspectives of an autistic children’s librarian. ALSC Blog. https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2017/04/perspective-autistic-childrens-librarian/