Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries

Jane SalisburyAbigail Elder

Oregon Library Association ConferenceApril 20, 2007

The Boomers are Coming! Boomers defined as those born between

1945-1964

Every 8 seconds another baby boomer turns 50

Boomer demand will grow exponentially over the next decade 22 % of current library patrons are 55+ Boomers comprise at least 25% of the population of

every state except Utah By 2014, Boomers will be between 50-70

What do we know about Boomers?

Healthy, active and mobile

More and more are aging in place

Seek meaningful engagement in their communities, either paid or unpaid

Expect to design and manage activities for themselves and others

Adulthood II

Active engaged older adults seek: Welcoming places

Meaningful activities

Opportunities to learn

Social and civic connections

Information and options

Why Public Libraries? Place: The community’s

information and meeting place

Trust: The most trusted public institution

Access: 16,500+ public library outlets

Inclusive: No barriers for age, language, belief or economic status

Why Public Libraries? Public libraries already support

engagement and learning Social and civic space Book Clubs/Public Affairs programs Information and navigation assistance Health and wellness programs Computers and computer training Opportunities for service

The Challenge for libraries

Change service model

Change assumptions about older adults

Make Boomers one of the libraries’ priority constituencies

Consider Boomers as a valued resource

Four components of Boomer friendly libraries

Welcoming physical space and materials

Meaningful programs

Volunteer opportunities that offer learning and growth

Partnerships that build community

Special Spaces

Materials of interest to Boomers that is shelved and displayed in an attractive manner

Clear signs, appropriate equipment, comfortable furniture

Virtual space that invites exploration and social interaction

Special Spaces and Materials Tempe Public Library (AZ)

Café, outdoor patio, meeting space for programs of interest to boomers

Parker Public Library, AZ Lifelong Learning Center includes space for

computer use and social interaction.

Westchester Library System, NY 12 Caregiver Resource Centers in libraries Support adults caring for other adults Books, tapes, videos, and DVDs available to check

out on all aspects of care giving.

Participation through programs Why programs?

Civic engagement & conversation

Brain health

Meaningful volunteer work A Boomer advisory council could help decide what

programs, recruit community speakers and resources and help coordinate programs.

Participatory Programs

Offered by and for Boomers Boomers can serve on advisory committee

to chose and coordinate programs

Wide variety of topics to meet diverse interests Spirituality, aging parents, re-careering,

brain health, travel….

Participatory Programs Active Wisdom Conversations

Older adults come together to discuss aging, life experiences, and how they might use their experience and perspective to impact present and future conditions in society

Advances individual and societal self-consciousness about the nature of aging

Participatory Programs

Flyer of Richard Bray’s program?

Farmington Public Library (CT) Current events discussion, speakers bureau

Kansas City Public Library (KS) Environmental education Participate in annual winter bird survey 

Boomer Volunteers Meaningful work

Wanting experiences that will offer growth and new learning.

Flexible schedules that allow for travel, family, other obligations

Honoring Expertise Titles are important Keep current in one’s field

Boomer Volunteers

Chandler Public Library, AZ Peers assistance with career

assessment, development and career changes

Multnomah County Library, OR Talk Time Citizenship Classes

Partnerships

Libraries do not have the expertise for all of these topics

Many organizations looking to tap into library’s accessibility and trusted reputation

Resource sharing stretches limited budgets

Partnerships

Multnomah County Library Everybody Reads Involves bookstores, Portland State University, ….

Cleveland Public Library, OH Website for midlife adults Partnership with Community Vision Council,

Cleveland Foundation, and the United Way

Yonkers Public Library, NY Part of a coalition that hosted a conference

entitled, “Mature Workers: A Community Asset.” 

Active Wisdom and Boomers Already do a great job serving Boomers

Expand and grow your current services Offer Boomers new ways to get involved

Don’t take this age group for granted! Focus groups and surveys Ask what they want from the library Ask how they want to get it from the library

Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries

Jane SalisburyAbigail Elder

Oregon Library Association ConferenceApril 20, 2007