Older Adults & Seniors
Resources to help Connecticut library staff serve older adults & seniors.
The 'Discussion' tab lists events and offers you the opportunity to read and discuss issues of note and interest with the Connecticut library communty.
The 'Documents' tab has links to and snippets from articles of interest.
Also, see these Links for Libraries Serving Older Adults, which group organizations and resources as National or Connecticut.
Things That Work: recipes for programming for older adults.
| East Hampton Public Library | |
| What We Did: | Beading |
| What Happened: | This one-hour beading workshop drew a mix of 25-30 people (active older adults and home school families). An introductory powerpoint covered the history of beading in different cultures, attendees made their own necklaces, jewelry, brooches, etc. |
| What We Learned: | This program effortlessly drew more than just older adults. Also, folks like programs where they learn something, then do something. |
| For More Information: | Sue Berescik, director, East Hampton Public Library, smberescik@hotmail.com |
| Prosser Library, Bloomfield | |
| What We Did: | Caregiver Support Group |
| What Happened: | We have teamed up with the Bloomfield Senior Center and have a Caregiver Support Group that meets the first Wednesday of every month from 1:30-3. It is myself, a librarian and a certified geriatric social worker who run the group. We have been doing this for a few years now and the program is very successful. |
| What We Learned: | The participants find it to be very helpful to them and we have been able to work with a lot of people. If we feel that we can't help them then we send them to the Social Services Office that is located in the same building. |
| For More Information: | Mara Whitman, marawhitman@hotmail.com |
| West Hartford Public Library | |
| What We Did: | Life Story Writing Workshop |
| What Happened: | Advertised as a 9-week program to help older adults write their life stories. Registration was required and limited to 10 people. Eight weeks were dedicated to writing; in week nine we scanned photos and made sure everyone knew how to find their document on their flash drive and edit or share it. Goal: At the end of the workshop participants will have both a printed copy and an electronic copy of their life story. |
| What We Learned: | The strong work ethic of the older adults meant that, at first, they were taking their ‘assignments’ very seriously. “Every one of us spent those nine weeks looking forward to our meetings. The socializing that took place, the sharing of stories, the new friendships that were made. All of those ended up being just as important as the finished stories. This program effortlessly drew more than just older adults. Also, folks like programs where they learn something, then do something |
| For More Information: | Susan Hansen, manager, Bishops Corner Branch Library, West Hartford, shansen@westhartford.org |
| Chelmsford Public Library | |
| What We Did: | Music Trivia Contest. The CPL challenged users to test their musical knowledge in a contest called ‘Jeopardy of the Jukebox’ |
| What Happened: | In a |
| What We Learned: | Although this program was not targeted to older ‘boomer’ adults, that’s the group that participated. The topic, day of week, and time of day (Sunday afternoon) contributed to this. |
| For More Information: | Kathy, 978-256-5521 |
| Granby Public Library | |
| What We Did: | Tea with Anne of Green Gables, an intergenerational program we coordinated with the Granby Senior Center. |
| What Happened: | Tea and talk about Anne of Green Gables. Carole Shmurak gave a program and encouraged kids and seniors to talk about the book, the author, maybe trips they took to Canada, etc. Some brought dolls or souvenirs, but it was mostly book memories. We asked a few people ahead of time if we could call on them to share--this got things rolling. Basically an AoGG lovefest program. How it Works: We did the creativity and publicity, they did the room set-up and refreshments. Costs were shared. Tables were covered with pink plastic tablecloths and lace overlays. We borrowed china teacups and saucers from various places and filled in with glass punch cups as needed. Tea was pre-brewed and served in lovely teapots. Finger foods for each table--cookies, etc. A volunteer made some little centerpieces for each table--straw hats with flowers and red yarn braids sticking out . We also had a hat for Carole to wear (and, if I recall, she did!)It took about an hour to set up the tables and 30 minutes to clean up afterwards. We had some handouts--info about the author, the books, etc. for people to take home. We had a prize drawing at the end--a good way for people to know it was over (that and the fact that the food was gone...) Staffing at the program was 1 from Senior Center, 2 from library. We paid Carole her usual CHC programming fee (or maybe a little less) for her work preparing and presenting the program. I believe it was $100-$150. The Friends of the Library sponsored the program. We had to limit this to 50 people, so one of the staff checked off names (registration list) as people arrived. |
| What We Learned: | If you co-sponsor, make sure you know who is responsible for each piece. It is also good to know ahead of time who procrastinates! We had hoped to have a craft (the table decorations...) but the program was just fine with simply food and talk. It was a simple concept and it worked. This doesn't really require a 'professional' speaker--anyone who is good at giving some background / showing slides and getting people to talk and share would be good. We were limited to the tables available at the senior center--the typical long rectangles used for lunches. It would have been nice to have smaller tables (would have looked prettier), but the lesson is that you can make it work with what you have. I don't think anyone minded. I think anyone could figure this out! It doesn't have to be intergenerational, though I think this made it more fun for everyone. How many kids think 'old people' have read the same books they have? How delightful for older people to know that kids are still reading books they enjoyed as youngsters! |
| For More Information: | Joan Fox, joanfox@granby-ct.gov |
| Reading Public Library | |
| What We Did: | Active Older Adult Fair |
| What Happened: | In collaboration with the local YMCA, the library hosts a yearly active older adult fair. 25 presenters staff tables with handouts and give-aways on health issues, volunteerism, library services, and more. |
| What We Learned: | Learned: that collaborating with the YMCA is valuable. Also, the library was closed during the morning of the first fair, but worked better when the library was open the next year. |
| For More Information: | Nancy, 781-944-0840 |
| J.V. Fletcher Library, Westford | |
| What We Did: | Over 50 Library Advisory Committee |
| What Happened: | The committee came up with the idea for a ‘Spring Cleaning’ program. The group brought in a speaker to teach people how to use eBay to downsize their homes. The program was open to the public but publicized as sponsored by this new advisory committee |
| What We Learned: | Committee members had lots of ideas that the library would not have otherwise have considered, such as grandparenting, seeking retirement careers and continues to provide input on adult programming. |
| For More Information: | Kristina 978-692-5555 |
| Whittemore Library, Naugatuck | |
| What We Did: | Snacks & Shows for Seniors |
| What Happened: | One Friday per month, the library hosts a program where participants make a snack and watches a classic TV show or movie. Snacks are enjoyed near the end of the viewing. The most successful events featured two I Love Lucy episodes in honor of Lucille Ball’s birthday with participants making a tasty treat called Cheesy Bops (Bewitched and Elvis’ Blue Hawaii didn’t work as well, even though the former featured making Elvis Truffles inspired by the King’s favorite combo: peanut butter, bananas and bacon). The Carol Burnett program had nine pre-registrants. |
| What We Learned: | It’s helpful when flyers feature photos of the snacks you’re making (e.g., Oreo turkeys). Early afternoon works better than mid-morning. Other suggestions: • Type out recipes and distribute them to attendees at the start of the program. • Measure out the ingredients ahead of time, even if that means participants only mix things together, it’s better to keep it simple since some people move slower than others and it helps keep everyone on the same page. • A volunteer created trivia questions, which the library passed out like a quiz. The names of the highest scorers were put into a raffle for a donated gift card to Big Y. This gave the event a little excitement, plus it gave attendees something to do when they were waiting for the program to start. • Put out book labels so that participants can put their names on their own food. Advertise the main ingredients (or at least any ‘problem foods’) that people could be allergic to or that could affect their medications. |
| For More Information: | Marrissa Ciullo, marissa@biblio.org |
| New Haven Free Public Library | |
| What We Did: | TAG (Tecnology Across Generations) program at the New Haven Free Public Library |
| What Happened: | This program matches a YA and adult volunteers with a mature (over 50) adult to teach them computer skills. All tutoring is one-on-one. Many 50 plusers have never touched a computer while others have some skills; others want to learn specific programs like Excel. We begin wherever they want to start. Volunteer instructors have been college students, high school students (who sometimes need community service hours), adults as. After short training periods, they do a terrific job and really enjoy the program. The program uses the computer lab (to accommodate conversations) every Tuesday for one hour sessions 4PM to 5PM and again from 5:10PM to 6:10PM. This time was selected so we could reach all the 50 plusers still working. It has been especially helpful to those who have lost their job and never needed computer skills in their previous occupation or an email address. |
| What We Learned: | Those over 65 seem to want to do research or email their children or a friend. Once they accomplish that skill they are happy and end their sessions. Often their adult child has given them their computer. |
| For More Information: | Kate Cosgrove, kate.cosgrove@nhfpl.org |
Most Recently Added
Never Too Old to Play: 2012 Older Americans Month essay contest flyer
Document / Last Modified: March 13, 2012
This is a copy of a flyer describing the CT Agencies on Aging's Never Too Old to Play: 2012 Older Americans Month essay contest.
Designing Older Adult Space in Libraries
Document / Last Modified: March 5, 2012
A short presentation on design features helpful for making a library welcoming for older adults.
Top 20 Ways of Serving Older Adults
Document / Last Modified: January 26, 2012
A list by Allan M. Kleiman as appearing in 'Library Services to the Sandwich Generation and Serial Caregivers,' comp. by Linda Lucas Walling.
Successful LSTA-funded Programs for Older Adults
Document / Last Modified: January 26, 2012
Read about how these LSTA-funded library programs have helped improve library servies to older adults.
SOAR Meeting Minutes, May 19, 2009
Document / Last Modified: January 26, 2012
Meeting minutes kindly submitted by the Services to Older Adults Roundtable co-chair Susan Hansen, director of West Hartford's Bishop's Corner Branch.
