SERVING SENIORS

2014 Kentucky Summer Reading Program Conference

Sarah HubbardLexington Public Libraryshubbard@lexpublib.org

Why Focus on Seniors?

•Kentucky’s population is aging•Rural areas especially see this at an accelerated rate

•2/3 of households with minor children used a public library within the past year (2002)•1/3 of households with retired members used a public library in the past year (2002)

Part IIProgramming Concepts & Ideas

Welcoming Buildings

signage

parking lot

sidewalks

wheelchairs

caution markings

flooring

seating

shelving

special collections

Program Guidelines•Daylight hours ONLY•Consider a mid-day time slot during lulls•Offer frequent very basic digital literacy classes – small class size•Track community events to avoid conflict

Program Ideas

•Financial literacy and security•Medical and health•Continuing education•Recareering•Digital literacy•Social/Support Groups

Financial Literacy•Health care/insurance information•Affordable housing•Insurance•Money investment and risk•Scams•Short- and long-term planning•Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid benefits

Medical and Health

•Managing chronic health issues•Caregiving•New medical advances/choices•Healthy choices•Physical or mental health information

Continuing Education

•Craft instruction•Household skills/organization•Language learning

Recareering

•Second career opportunities•Grandparents as parents

Digital Literacy•Ongoing emphasis on extreme beginner courses:• Using the Parts of a Computer• Introduction to the Internet• Computer safety• Creating and saving documents•Both class computers and access computers provided by library•Classes can be one-time concept classes or ongoing social gatherings

Social/Support Groups•Book talks/book discussion groups•Guest lecture series•Game nights•Craft groups•Movie groups•Exercise groups•Health groups•Technology groups

Marketing

•Partnerships•Outreach•Flyers/Media

Partnerships•Senior centers and assisted living facilities•Literacy groups or writing groups / local authors•Senior advocacy groups•Local history or genealogy groups•Craft/hobby groups

Outreach

•Fairs/festivals•Senior centers•Local history groups/relevant nonprofits•Seminars

Flyers/Media

•Newspapers – community and specialty•Community boards•Senior centers•Relevant nonprofits / newsletters•Radio stations•Government departments

LinksThe Changing Demographic Profile of the United Stateshttp://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32701.pdf

Kentucky Population Growth – State Data Centerhttp://ksdc.louisville.edu/images/Publications/KSDC%20Research%20Report%20Vol1%20No1.pdf

Library WebJunction – Older Adults and Seniorshttp://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/older-adults.html

Libraries – Transforming Life After 50http://transforminglifeafter50.org/

Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiativehttp://www.mc.uky.edu/keri/

Kentucky’s Aging Population – State Data Centerhttp://ksdc.louisville.edu/images/Presentations/KY_Gerentology_Conference.swf

Households’ Use of Public and Other Types of Libraries: 2002http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/News/HouseholdUsePL2002_1-2007.pdf