Library Services for Older Adults

An Infopeople Workshop

Spring 2007

Diane Satchwell

DSatchwell@oaklandlibrary.org

Overview of Library Services for Older Adults

Target audience Service ideas Technology Partnerships Marketing Funding Evaluation Take one service idea with you!

And the Older Adult is…..

Demographics

Where can you find demographic information?

Sources They may not be coming into your library

Are all older adults in the library?– The non-user

Your Community Demographics

Who is an older adult in your community?– Older adults in your library

What are you seeing being used by the older adult in your library?

Myths and Realities of Older Adults

Older people are lonely– Myth #5

Certain ethnic groups live longer– Myth # 8

Older adults are set in their ways– Myth #17

Older adults like new services– Reality

Where to Get Service Ideas

Websites Literature Audio material Program series

– other libraries

Planning for the New Service

Top 20 services for older adults handout

Your library can offer……. – Who should I target?– What service can I start?

Older Adults as Planners

What value do older adults add?

Input What political impact can they bring?

Friends of council Other thoughts…

Services in Place

What services are in place that older adults are using in your library?

Barriers to Reach Older Adults

Is your library accessible?– Can older adults get to the service?

How does staff feel about older adults?

Your thoughts…

Plan and Develop the Service

Technology Older adult inclusion Partnerships Funding Service ideas

Potential of Technology in the Library

What are some technology service ideas– Email– Genealogy

Use your webpage for advertising Needs to be easy to use

Technology Barriers

How accessible are your computers?

What are some barriers?– Small print– Ability to use mouse– Easily accessible with a wheelchair

Partnerships

What value to partners bring to the library? Who can be a partner?

– Finding the right fit– Looking in the right places

Where do you find partners? Always remember to thank the partners

Older Adult as Partners

What can baby boomers bring to your library?

Outside Funding for Services

Friends of the Library Local organizations Grants

– IMLS– State Library

Special Funding Opportunities

Do you have agencies within the City or County?

Local Groups with literacy goals– Rotary– Lions

Budget Considerations

Funding source– Partnerships/Grants

Personnel– Who is best person?

Speakers or performers– Do you need every time?

Promotions– Special places

More Considerations

Facilities and equipment– Accessibility

Food– Opportunity for nutritional information

Miscellaneous– What comes to mind for older adults and

budgeting their needs?

Things to Consider Before Offering a New Service

Audience Partner Funding Budget

Marketing the Service

Staff and community assistance

Getting the word out

Advertising techniques

Staff and Community Assistance

What steps can you take to involve the community?– OASIS (oasis.org)

How can you prepare staff?– Sensitivity

What are some trends?– Name: Older Adults

Getting the Word Out

Gaming locations Assisted living Community senior centers Your thoughts?

Advertising Techniques

Local newspapers Flyers Brochures Local radio stations Web page Your thoughts?

Spread the Message

What do you want to say? What sources do you have in house? Timing is important Double check

– Triple check– Check again!

Types of Evaluations

Surveys– One or half page

Interviews– Phone or in-house

Web page– Survey Monkey

Measure the right thing

Trouble Shooting

What are some considerations that may cause a problem?

Record service - ever evolving

Communication

Keep the History

Journal Three ring binders CDs DVDs Videos

Remember the fun!!!

The Real Deal

Now it is your turn to develop one library service for older adults in your

community.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact me anytime.

THANK YOU!