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Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries

Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries. Jane Salisbury Abigail Elder Oregon Library Association Conference April 20, 2007. The Boomers are Coming!. Boomers defined as those born between 1945-1964 Every 8 seconds another baby boomer turns 50

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Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries

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  1. Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries Jane Salisbury Abigail Elder Oregon Library Association Conference April 20, 2007

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Adulthood II • Active engaged older adults seek: • Welcoming places • Meaningful activities • Opportunities to learn • Social and civic connections • Information and options

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Four components of Boomer friendly libraries • Welcoming physical space and materials • Meaningful programs • Volunteer opportunities that offer learning and growth • Partnerships that build community

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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….

  13. 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

  14. Participatory Programs • Alameda County Library (CA) • My Neighbor’s Faith • Programs exploring aging & spirituality • Farmington Public Library (CT) • Current events discussion, speakers bureau • Kansas City Public Library (KS) • Environmental education • Participate in annual winter bird survey 

  15. 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

  16. Boomer Volunteers • Chandler Public Library, AZ • Peers assistance with career assessment, development and career changes • Multnomah County Library, OR • Talk Time • Citizenship Classes

  17. 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

  18. 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.”

  19. 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

  20. Active Wisdom: Boomers in Libraries Jane Salisbury Abigail Elder Oregon Library Association Conference April 20, 2007

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