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Hi everyone,

This isn't exactly a programming idea but I saw this article on pod casting for Senior Patients posted to a blog that is run by the National Network of Medical Libraries: South Centeral Region: http://nnlm.gov/scr/blog/?p=227

It sounds like a cool idea and one that libraries might adapt to serve the needs of Seniors.

Laura

Lots of programming content sure to be at the preconference.

REACHING OUT TO SERVE OLDER ADULTS: The Why and How of Excellent Library Service!

Thursday, June 22, 2006, 1-9 PM & Friday, June 23, 2006, 8:30-5:30

The preconf. includes: sessions that:
* "Identify and develop strategies to strengthen delivery of services to older adults in library communities

*Examine tips on effective library programs, services, and practices

* Program ideas and opportunities with others using similar focuses

* Showcase of innovative demonstrations of older adult service opportunities

register and http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/annual/2006a/registration.htm

Hi Susan,

You're really, REALLY welcome. And welcome to WJ, I see that you're still relatively new. Congrats on the whole VGPL as a non-profit corporation thing. That takes some guts. Everyone can see it here: http://www.vglibrary.org/.

Are the links helpful to you? Do you find that your patrons ask for one kind over another, or is it a big 'ol mix? Lastly, but not leastly, is there anything you need here but aren't getting?

OK, *really* lastly - could you send some of your NM heat to me here in CT? It's still like 32 degrees here or something. Windy + cold, but bright.

What a great idea about the planning a cruise program! We, at our library, are looking for ways to provide programs and services to a recently retired population and looking for creative ideas like this to do so. How did you market the program and was there registration required?

Thanks!

We have an OASIS organization here in Albany NY and our library is committed to providing life-long access. I've just started researching groups in our community and the OASIS website has a photo and I recognize 5 patrons! Most of the classes are held at the University at Albany and I know many retired professors belong and volunteer with the organization. I think this is a great place to start and I would like to cultivate a partnership with this group--we have the space and population.

At Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls we are able to interest people over 70 or so in monthly book discussions and the like. These people want to stay in touch with their friends at the library and like sharing stories of "how it used to be." But the younger retired people, 55 to 65 years old seem to have different outlook. They want to be part of the future. Could these younger retirees become library volunteers and teach from their own expertise? For example, there is a very big demand for basic computer instruction, more than this small staff can meet. This library might alleviate the problem of a high demand for basic computer instruction by inviting younger retirees to teach computer classes in the library as volunteers. Has anyone tried this already?

see http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/5/355.html and a lot of actual content at http://www.cplrmh.com/seniors.html.

RoseMary Honnold and Saralyn A. Mesaros' well-received 2004 manual, "Serving Seniors: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians," covers collection maintenance (including large print materials, audio books, program kits, and assistive technologies); discussion groups and coffee clubs; and programming.

Practical guidance on partnering with other agencies; mixing seniors and youth for reading and storytimes as well as for computer-based activities. Programs covered include book and film discussion groups and topics ranging from cooking to travel to games and historical eras.

Step-by-step guidance for implementing Internet services to seniors, volunteer programs, outreach and homebound services, and services to residential facilities. A special section lists print and on-line sources for tips from other librarians reaching out to an aging population.

Most of these words are directly from the Neal-Schuman site.

Greetings--

I thought that I'd share this list that I've used in several workshops that I have recently presented. I hope that you find the list useful and practical.

25 Ideas to Serve Active Older Adults and the Baby Boomers


Compiled by

Allan M. Kleiman
Chair, ALA RUSA RSS Library Service to an Aging Population Committee


These are some ideas that libraries can use as starting points, to serve older adults and baby boomers. What can you add to the list?



1. Establish Senior Day during Older Americans Month in May
2. Host Tax Counseling during Tax Season
3. Start an Oral History Project on Community Life in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s
4. Celebrate Veterans Day with Oral History Events from the Korean & Vietnam Wars
5. Develop Inter-generational Genealogy Projects
6. Establish a Senior Services Advisory Board including Baby Boomers to Develop Ideas
7. Host a Program during Older Americans Month for the 5 Oldest Community Residents
8. Organize a Great Issues Discussion Group, including Boomers and Older Adults
9. Develop Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities for Baby Boomers at Your Library
10. Host a Book Discussion Program on Best Sellers of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
11. Develop a Community Bulletin Board Where People Can Post Volunteer Options
12. Organize a “Lifelong Learning” institute at Your Library with Peers Teaching Peers
13. Develop a “SENIORNET” type Computer Lab Utilizing Older Adults and Baby Boomers as Peer-to-Peer Instructors
14. Partner with a Local Bank to Offer Pre-Retirement Financial Programming
15. Develop “fun” Programming for Baby Boomers, like, “Remembering the Beatles”
16. Organize Monthly Cultural Programs that Reflect the Community’s Diversity
17. Utilize Active Seniors and Baby Boomers to Assist with Homebound Delivery of Books
18. Invite the Local Garden Club to Exhibit Samples of Flowers Each Month
19. Develop Booklists for Distribution that Focus on Senior & Boomer Issues and Concerns
20. Utilize Seniors and Baby Boomers to Volunteer to Give Tours of the Library to Groups
21. Encourage the Local Historical Society to Partner with the Library on Programming
22. Develop and Area with the Library for Older Adults & Baby Boomers to “Chat”
23. Designate a Library Staff Member as a “Senior & Boomer Services Librarian”
24. Develop a Library Marketing Plan to “Target” Older Adults and Baby Boomers
25. Develop Relationships With Other Local Agencies that Serve Older Adults and the Baby Boomers



Allan M Kleiman, Assistant Library Director, Old Bridge (NJ) Public Library, kleiman@aol.com, Tel: 732-721-5600, ext. 5042.

very funny fishrocker! ;)

The JCL is a 13-branch system in Kansas that offers a raft of programming to older adults. See http://www.jocolibrary.org/index.asp?DisplayPageID=771.

I found out about them because Jennifer Mahnken, their Adult Programming Manager, put on an online OPAL seminar (which are pretty good, btw, see: http://www.opal-online.org/progslis.htm) in which she discussed a whole mess of good ideas.

Some of these programs happen because JCL is a big system, but some, like the computer training classes (http://www.jocolibrary.org/index.asp?DisplayPageID=1461) are what librarians do all the time.

Also, JCL certainly has a spiffy way of presenting all of this programming to the public.

For these reasons (sound the trumpets and timpani), all hail the Johnson County Library and Jennifer Mahnken for producing a model approach to OA programming!!