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PAST NEWS ARCHIVE
June 22, 2001
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

Learning by Touch an innovative program at the Austin Public Library

Infant massage classes for parents with babies are being held at the Twin Oaks Branch 2301 South Congress, and the Manchaca Road Branch 5500 Manchaca Road of the Austin Public Library during the month of June. Parents taking these classes will discover a tool in which they can teach their babies to handle the input of daily life and respond with relaxation. Additionally, parents will learn to hear and acknowledge the baby, and deepen the parent/infant bond. Youth Librarian, Dianna Hanshew a licensed massage therapist has organized the classes and programming for the libraries. Hanshew, is a certified trainer for The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) an organization founded in the early 1980's. "This type of programming is unique to the library world and we are delighted to bring this learning activity to our community," said Brenda Branch, Library Director.

The development of our children's intelligence requires a delicate balance. Studies have shown how stress hormones stimulate the development of neuronal pathways in the brain enabling learning and memory.

Classes are being held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Twin Oaks Branch and Fridays 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at the Manchaca Road Branch. Please call Dianna Hanshew at (512) 457-6803 for additional class information.

Aboug IAIM
The International Association of Infant Massage was founded in the United States by Vimala McClure in the early 1980's. The purpose of the association was to recruit and train instructors to teach parents and caregivers the theory, skills and techniques of parent-infant bonding through Infant Massage. While living in India in the 1970's, Vimala McClure observed the beneficial effects of daily massage with infants. Upon returning to the United States, she began massaging her own babies, researched the effects of touch on newborns and noted her personal observations. Vimala trained the original seven Trainers who formed the core group that incorporated the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors as a non-profit association with 501(c) (3) status in California in 1986. The organization and its program gradually developed internationally. The name was changed to IAIM in 1993. Now over 27 countries worldwide have formed Chapters of IAIM. Over 15,000 CIMI Instructors have been trained in the United States alone.

The mission of the International Association of Infant Massage-US Chapter (IAIM-US) is to promote nurturing touch and communication through training, education, and research so that parents, caregivers, and children are loved, valued, and respected throughout the world community.

About the Austin Public Library
This year the Austin Public Library is celebrating 75 years of service to the Austin community. Today, the Austin Public Library has 19 branches plus the John Henry Faulk Central Library, and the Austin History Center. The AHC is the local history (current events/activities of the City of Austin and Travis County) collection of the Austin (Texas) Public Library.

The Austin Public Library serves over 391,922 cardholders and others. In 1999-2000, customers visited the libraries over 2.8 million times and checked out over 3 million items. In 1926 (75 years ago) the Library opened with a collection of 500 donated books; today the system holds over one million.

Programs of the Austin Public Library are frequently recognized with state and national awards. In January 2001 the Library's Youth Star Card outreach program won the first Giant Step Award, a national honor. The goal of this program is to put a Library Card in the hand of every child in Austin.

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