active wisdom
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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
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